Sydney artist Charles Billich celebrating 89th birthday with a big bash

Open marriage, partying hard, staying creative. Charles and Christa Billich are edging 90, but are living a life many in their 30s would be envious of.

Pictured at the Billich Gallery at The Rocks in Sydney is Christa and Charles Billich. Well-known artist Charles is set to celebrate his 89th birthday this week. Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph.

“Buy a house and have children, ugh. That’s the worst piece of advice you could give a young person,” Christa Billich, of Real Housewives of Sydney and Melbourne fame, says.

Christa, 78, is the fifth wife of renowned Sydney artist Charles Billich, who is set to celebrate his 89th birthday this week.

She met Billich in 1985, when she had a jewellery business “and the last thing I was looking for was a husband.”

“He already had grown children. To start all over again, why? He’s a bad husband, he would’ve been a bad father. He’s not the dedicated kind. He does love them, but his first love and mistress is painting and everything else has to fit in.”

Charles and Christa Billich say keeping their marriage open, and not having children, has kept them young. Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph.

Billich is renowned for carving a career in the competitive art sphere by embracing the unusual, painting the Pope, and contributing work to the White House, United Nations, and royal families, but also some of the world’s most desirable women.

The couple, also infamous for their open marriage of 30 years and house parties, have taken their Darlinghurst penthouse off the market after listing it in June.

“Oh yes, we’re staying,” Christa said. “Real estate agents promise you the golden pot, but the minute you’re signed up it turns into bronze.”

The “creative, hip” crowd just beyond the front door, suits their youthful lifestyle.

“We don’t have to plan to go out,” she adds, “we just do”.

When Confidential arrives at Billich Art Gallery at The Rocks, the surrealist painter is adding the final touches to his celebratory self-portrait, a pair of white devil’s horns.

“They symbolise the devil in me,” Charles said. “We all have one, but not many of us admit to it.”

A family portrait of Charles Billich, 89, Christa Billich, 78, and their “children”, Charlie and Ziggy. Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph.

Christa is enjoying a lunchtime wine in the company of her “children,” chihuahua Charlie, and cat Ziggy, who lounges atop the grand piano.

Charles’ latest work will be unveiled at a sit-down birthday dinner at the gallery on Thursday, for 35 “very good” artworld friends.

“We don’t really mix with anybody our age because they don’t understand us. They think that sitting at home is fun,” Christa said.

On Sunday, they’ll host 150 guests for an afterparty on their 150sqm terrace with city and harbour views.

“I think what encourages us to continue, to give functions and parties and go out, is having a lot of younger people around. That keeps you young. I think the worst thing you can do is retire,” Christa said.

“If you have a hard working job, obviously you have to retire at one stage, but you have to have fulfilment. Something to look forward to and to get up before in the morning. If you live just day by day, what does it matter if you get up in the afternoon? You have no spirit behind you.”

As for people stressing about turning 30 and 40, the socialite is blunt in her advice:

“There’s a time limit on life, but not on living. If you’re lucky enough to have your healthy, you can do anything. I’m not worried because I’m a bit older that I’ll have to stop doing things.

“You owe yourself the opportunity to experience as much as possible.”