Annette Sharp: Charlie Aitken confirms relationship with Hollie Nasser

Charlie Aitken has confirmed the breakdown of his 20-year marriage to wife Ellie — and that he is in a relationship with Hollie Nassar, the wife of his business partner Chris.

Ellie and Charlie Aitken. Picture: Kai Godeck

Sydney finance darling Charlie Aitken has confirmed the breakdown of his 20-year marriage to business partner and wife Ellie.

The funds manager, one half of one of Sydney society’s most feted couples, confirmed the split — and his shock new relationship with Hollie Nasser, the wife of his investment partner Chris Nasser — in a statement to this column on Friday night.

The Nassers, Hollie and Chris, on their wedding day in December 2016 Picture: Blumenthal Photography

“I can confirm I am separated from Ellie Aitken and am in a relationship with Hollie Nasser,” Aitken said.

“My sole focus is my children and I’ll make no further comment.”

The breakdown of Aitken’s marriage — and that of the Nassers, counted among the couple’s best friends — has been the talk of Sydney society for the past fortnight.

Charlie Aitken has confirmed he is in a relationship with Hollie Nassar, pictured here with husband and Aitken’s business partner Chris Nasser.

Ellie and Charlie Aitken. Picture: Jake Scevola.

Chris Nasser, a founding investor in Aitken’s investment business AIM, who is said to have tipped between $5 million and $10 million into the business, responded with confirmation his marriage, too, has ended.

“While the affair has greatly impacted me and my children, it is a private matter and I do not wish to go into any detail about it,” he said.

Sources close to Nasser said he was “shocked” and “deeply hurt” by the breakdown of his five-year marriage — and long friendship with Aitken — on or about Friday, November 12.

Nasser resigned as a director of Aitken’s AIM board the following day, November 13, was replaced by his brother Damien.

Ellie Aitken, a lawyer-turned-fashion designer, also resigned as an executive of the business that same weekend.

Sources have told this column the Aitkens split a few months ago, shortly after billionaire Kerry Stokes withdrew his financial support from the couple’s investment business.

Ellie moved to rival investment business, Pallas, run by Charles Mellick, in September.

Hollie, in her second gown, with guests. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

The 2016 wedding of hotel investor Christopher-John “CJ” Nasser and Hollie Alford was, by all accounts, an extravagant affair.

The one-time owner of Fairfield’s Crescent Hotel — whose family investments include funds management business Microequities and a strategic slice of Jennifer Hawkins’ Sesión tequila brand — spared no expense on the couple’s wedding.

Married at St Mary’s Cathedral, the newlyweds and their party — including close friends the Aitkens — adjourned afterwards to top-tier Sydney restaurant Quay.

Guests, including much-married Liberal party lobbyist Michael Photios and wife Kristina (and a selectively servile AFR gossip columnist), were unsurprised when the polished bride — a one-time research associate at a Sydney medical clinic specialising in gastrointestinal health who hails from Newcastle — slipped away and changed into a second frothy white designer wedding gown.

Ellie Aitken and unknown guest at the Nassers. wedding. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

As family friends noted last week, no expense was spared when it came to celebrating “CJ” and Hollie’s love.

Their engagement party at the MCA had been a smash hit months earlier — a glamorous evening capped off by a magical fireworks display over Sydney Harbour.

Last week Charlie Aitken took a sudden leave of absence from AIM.

“I would like to inform you that I will be taking a short leave of absence to attend to a personal matter,” he wrote midweek in a short note to investors. “I thank you for your understanding and want to assure you there is no interruption to the way your investment is managed by the team at AIM.”

Ellie Aitken’s October 16 birthday tribute on social media to her bestie Hollie Nasser.

Friends of both parties have confirmed fund manager Aitken and Hollie are now living together in a serviced apartment in Bondi Junction.

Footage from a baby monitor is said to have contributed to the Nassers’ split. The Nassers have two young daughters, aged 4 and 2.

Friends of both couples say the twin splits have shed new light on Ellie’s Facebook tribute to Hollie last month.

Ellie — said to be an enthusiastic supporter of menswear shop Harrolds Man in the CBD — posted of Hollie on October 16: “Happy happy birthday to my beautiful (Hollie). So lucky to have you in my life. Here’s to sharing many more good times together in the years to come.” Or maybe not.

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