Magazine, TV and fashion icon Maggie Tabberer dies
She was Australia’s first supermodel who became a powerhouse fashion, publishing and television legend. Maggie Tabberer has died at the age of 87.
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Style icon. Fashion pioneer. Groundbreakiing supermodel. Dual Gold Logie winner. Society celebrity: Maggie Tabberer has passed away at age 87.
Tabberer, who was one of the country’s most recognisable and respected fashion doyennes of all time, is said to have been unwell in recent months and passed away on Friday morning — just days short of her 88th birthday on December 11.
Her family posted on Facebook: “Today we lost our beautiful mother and Nanna.”
“She was an icon in every sense of the word and we will miss her dearly … Along with the rest of Australia.
“Rest in peace, Nanna. We love you to bits forever.”
Many people took to social media to pay tribute to the woman they referred to as a, “legend”, “icon”, and a “champion”.
“One of a kind and always elegant,” one person wrote on social media.
Tabberer married twice and had two daughters, Brooke and Amanda.
Brooke shared a photograph of what would be her mother’s final magazine cover in December last year.
“My darling mummy, cover girl at 86!!! #cover girl #prettyinpink #ilovemymum.”
Tabberer is one of the most respected fashion doyennes to come out of Australia, as recognisable now as she was in the 60s.
‘OUR FIRST SUPERMODEL’
Editorial Director and Publisher News Prestige and Conde Nast titles Australia, Edwina McCann paid tribute to Tabberer.
“Maggie truly was Australia’s first supermodel. From her fortuitous discovery and first photo shoots with the legendary Helmut Newton, who had arrived in Australia as a refugee post WWII and set up studio in Melbourne; to her namesake plus- size label Maggie T, she was part of the Australian fashion industry’s vernacular,” McCann said.
“Always quick of wit, with a teasing, cheeky smile, I enjoyed every lunch and interaction with her. We have lost a legend.”
Tabberer began modelling at the age of 14, and at 23 was discovered by leading German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton.
She later founded her own fashion label — Maggie T — and PR companies, but is best known for her long-time position as Fashion Editor of the Women’s Weekly.
In 2023 Tabberer featured on the cover at the age of 86 for the magazine’s 90th birthday issue.
In the exclusive interview celebrating the magazine’s birthday, the much loved two-time Gold Logie winner dished the dirt on her extraordinary career and private life, including her relationship with controversial photographer Helmut Newton.
“When I looked at the shots, I thought ‘My God, is it me?’” she said.
“Very quickly I knew that he was very gifted and he took wonderful photographs of me. We had an incredibly special connection which I think came out in the pictures.”
BECOMING MAGGIE T
She became his muse. The power duo went on to rock the fashion industry with a portfolio of work under Margaret May’s new name. Together they landed hetr first Vogue cover, in 1961.
“He renamed me. Helmut Newton coined Maggie and it stuck,” she said.
“I had worked with a couple of other photographers and they were all good, but I don’t think any of them touched Newton.”
Good friend and Sydney restaurateur Rupert Noffs posted a message on Facebook.
“This morning we lost the beautiful and ICONIC Maggie Tabberer, a trailblazer in Australian fashion and media.
“Maggie defined Australian style with her elegance, sophistication, and grace, inspiring countless others along the way.
“She was a huge supporter of the work of my grandpa Ted; s Wayside Chapel, and Noffs Foundation. Her kindness and unwavering generosity touched so many lives.
“There will never be another Maggie T!
“VALE Maggie.”
‘NO WORDS, JUST TEARS’
Deborah Hutton — who worked with Maggie and was mentored by her at Australian Women's Weekly, — which she also went on to edit — joined the emotional tributes:
“No words right now … Just tears. My heart goes out to the girls. May you rest in peace, beautiful Maggie,” Hutton said.
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