Deborah Symond tipped to stay close with Amber despite dad John’s separation

News that John Symond and his wife Amber McDonald were parting ways has spawned chatter about Amber’s relationship with John’s daughter Deborah.

News broke in The Saturday Telegraph this week that Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond and his wife Amber McDonald were parting ways — prompting chatter about Amber’s relationships with John’s daughter Deborah.

Sunday Confidential can reveal Amber and Deborah’s relationship was at many times
“strained” and “frosty”, however, they had just recently patched things up and were “the closest they had ever been”.

Proof they had reconciled was in full force in September when Deborah was front row and centre at The Ladies Luncheon 2023 in support of the Royal Hospital for Women charity event in one of her designer stepmum’s Common Hours dresses.

This is one of the few times Symond — who owns her own fashion boutique ModeSportif — has worn one of her stepmother’s designs.

“It’s no secret among the social set that Deborah and Amber had a strained relationship throughout her and John’s eight-year marriage,” one insider said.

“However, they worked on it and just recently become very close.

They will still no doubt remain close post-divorce.”

Amber McDonald and Deborah Symond had grown close in recent times.

Amber McDonald and John Symond announced their separation this week. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Deborah is incredibly close to her mother Kerrie, recently speaking about how she has influenced her style.

“My mother Kerrie has always dressed impeccably,” she said.

“She had a professional career and always leaned toward structured suiting, statement jewellery and a heel.

“I learned by example to always be presentable in my personal style and my home style.

“I’m more confident when I get dressed, even if I’m going nowhere!”

On Saturday, those close to Amber were surprised by news of the breakdown of her marriage, however, they noticed things had been different recently.

“I knew something was going on,” one friend said.

“She has been going out a lot lately. A lot more than usual. That explains it.”

In a joint statement to The Saturday Telegraph, John and Amber said: ‘We enter this new chapter of our lives with a deep, mutual respect and friendship for each other.”

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