Dr Charlie Teo and model girlfriend Traci Griffiths still going strong

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo and his partner Traci Griffiths, who used to be a patient of his, are refusing to let critics take a shine off their love affair, Annette Sharp writes.

They met as patient and surgeon and later became romantically involved but Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo and his model girlfriend Traci Griffiths are refusing to let cynics take the shine off their love affair.

Last week the pair flew to Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia to dive with whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays.

This column’s spies report the couple appeared to be celebrating an anniversary though the pair’s Facebook pages offered few clues of any magical milestones.

The same can’t be said of Teo’s secretary Laine Skene, who notched up a significant three-year anniversary with Griffiths in April when the pair celebrated becoming joint home owners.

Records show that in April 2018 Skene and her husband David bought Griffiths’ long-term partner Colin Blake out of his half-share of the home the couple shared in the Wollongong suburb of Woonona.

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo exploring Ningaloo Reef with partner Traci Griffiths. Source: Facebook

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo and girlfriend Traci Griffiths dressed up for the Rebel Ball Reimagined at Doltone House on May 2. Picture: Facebook

In 2020 Teo then acquired the Skenes’ share for $1.

Teo and his wife Genevieve, the mother of his four daughters, last year confirmed their separation in 2018.

Teo, 63, first met Griffiths, an animal conservationist, around 2011 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and retained Teo as her neurosurgeon.

Traci Griffiths and Charlie Teo diving at Ninagloo Reef. Source: Facebook.

Sources say Teo has twice operated on Griffiths.

He could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Following the second procedure the pair became firm friends through their mutual friend, Michelle Leslie, ex-girlfriend of Silverchair’s Daniel Johns and sometime live-in interior designer of ad legend John Singleton.

Charlie Teo's girlfriend, and former patient, Traci Griffiths, posing in swimsuit in December 2020. Picture: Facebook

In 2006, Leslie and Griffiths had collaborated on designer pet accessory start-up, miyow & barkley, which Griffiths still runs.

Fortysomething Griffiths has emerged as one of Teo’s most staunch supporters.

This month is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, something Griffiths has been zealously promoting, along with Teo’s charitable foundation, on her social media accounts.

“May is brain cancer awareness month. Try the Charlie Teo Foundation profile frame to help raise awareness,” she posted alongside an image of herself.

Charlie Teo as Austin Powers with (legs of) girlfriend Traci Griffiths as Felicity Shagwell. Picture: Facebook

Traci Griffiths has been promoting Brain Cancer Awareness Month on her socials. Picture: Facebook

The glamorous blonde was at his side on May 2 for his foundation’s Rebel Ball Reimagined event at Doltone House.

The controversial Teo has shown a more playful side since going public with his relationship with Griffiths.

The famously shaven-headed Teo adopted a Pink velvet suit and funky wig in October last year to attend a fancy-dress event as retro cinematic spy Austin Powers to Griffiths’ Felicity Shagwell.

It was a departure that showcased the sense of humour for which Teo has become recently famous.