James Packer’s first girlfriend and foodie to the famous Jackie Milijash found dead

THE cream of Sydney society has paid tribute to one of the city’s culinary pioneers after the sudden death at the weekend of cafe queen Jackie Milijash. The body of the 52-year-old, rumoured to have been James Packer’s first girlfriend, was found at her northern beaches home by her mother on Sunday morning.

Jackie Milijash, founder of Jackie's Restaurant & Bar at Bondi Beach.

THE cream of Sydney society yesterday paid tribute to one of the city’s culinary pioneers after the sudden death at the weekend of cafe queen Jackie Milijash.

The body of Milijash — of Jackie’s Cafe fame — was discovered at her northern beaches home by her mother on Sunday morning. The 52-year-old was credited as leading figure in the development of Sydney’s renowned cafe culture and was rumoured to have been James Packer’s first girlfriend.

Milijash was also known as a colourful character on the city’s social scene. She was famously ejected from Mr Packer’s 1999 wedding to Jodhi Meares after she took the stage alongside wedding singer Elton John.

Tragedy ... Bondi cafe owner Jackie Milijash

A police spokesman said yesterday her death was not suspicious but was yet to be explained. Milijash had reportedly been in ill health for several months.

Celebrity hairdresser Joh Bailey was among those who paid tribute to the restaurateur yesterday.

“Though many knew her through her successful Jackie’s Cafes and the Raw Bar, it was her personality and kindness that made her legendary,” wrote Bailey, who once shared a flat with Milijash.

Award-winning chef Matt Moran said the loss of Milijash was a big one for the city. “Jackie was a straight shooter and was all about hospitality. Sydney will definitely miss her,” he said.

Former Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief and Ardent Leisure CEO Deborah Thomas wrote: “I am sorry to hear the news, she was so full of life.”

PR queen Roxy Jacenko also shared a tribute, leaving a bunch of flowers at Milijash’s Paddington cafe with the note “Jac we miss you already RIP”.

Loyal fan ... Megan Gale.

James Packer. Picture: Mark Stewart

Journalist Melissa Hoyer tweeted: “Restaurateur. Kind. Passionate. Pal. A listener. So sad to hear Jackie Milijash (of Jackies cafes fame) has died.”

Milijash was regarded as one of the driving forces of the city’s culinary scene from when she established her first business, Jackie’s Cafe, in the city in 1989.

She went on to establish Jackie’s Restaurant & Bar at Bondi Beach, Raw Bar and more recently Jackie’s Cafe in Paddington, which has been popular with Aussie A-listers including Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Megan Gale. It is believed Milijash was working on a new venue at Palm Beach when she died.

Milijash had a very definite idea of the customers she sought to serve.

“They’re stylish, eclectic and very fashionable,” she said.

Jackie Milijash.

Milijash was renowned for her sense of humour and fun. The day after the Packer-Meares wedding, she wrote a tongue-in-cheek letter to Mr Packer.

“How dare you throw me out when I was just getting warmed up and having so much fun?” she wrote.

“Elton John’s management thought I had so much potential. Unfortunately, I’ve had to decline their offer. My sincerest apologies if it caused any embarrassment.’’

Among those paying tribute yesterday was Johanna Waide, who worked at Jackie’s for three years.

Waide told The Daily Telegraph that her former boss’s death came as a shock.

“She was incredible. I spoke to her last week, and she sounded fine,” she said.

Friends spoke of a warm-hearted businesswoman who was far more than her reputation as the life of the party.

“Describing her as a party girl doesn’t do her justice,” friend Roni Faktor said.

“She was so much more than that. She was a warm, kind soul and will be missed.”

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