Media personality Deborah Hutton talks about her self-imposed retreat from the social limelight

FOR nearly four decades, this popular Australian personality worked across all areas of media. So why has she recently retreated from the public gaze?

Partygoers ... Deborah Hutton says she went to “absolutely everything” with ex-partner Harry M Miller.

MODEL, magazine editor, television presenter, homewares designer, socialite ... Deborah Hutton has worn many hats over her nearly four-decade career.

Now the 53-year-old is shunning the social limelight in favour of a more relaxed schedule that includes intimate dinners with friends and nights on the couch with her dog Billie.

When Hutton addresses the ASTRA subscription television conference this Thursday as part of a Women in TV panel, it will be one of her rare public events.

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“Unless I’m working or it’s a cause I want to support, I prefer to say no to invitations and stay home,” she said.

Social scene ... Deborah Hutton says the social scene became exhausting and she prefers a quieter pace these days.

Homebody ... Deborah’s nights have gone from glitzy to low-key, including nights on the couch with her dog Billie.

“You rarely see me these days. I pop up at the odd thing, but I don’t go to a lot of functions anymore.”

The retreat from the social scene has been gradual but welcome for the multi-talented media identity, who said she grew tired of the world of red carpet events and star-studded parties.

Her career began at 16 when she graced the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, which sparked a global modelling career and led to television and journalism roles.

A long-term relationship with celebrity agent Harry M Miller meant she was out “almost every night” at swanky parties and events.

Partygoers ... Deborah Hutton says she went to “absolutely everything” with ex-partner Harry M Miller.

“I got to the point where I didn’t really have the energy for it. I’m working such long hours and the thought of getting the glam on and going out isn’t appealing. The last thing I want to do is put on a face and heels.

“I did the party thing for years when I went out with Harry. I went to absolutely everything. I suffered burnout from it.

“I don’t want to do it anymore. I’ve moved on. I’m more interested in spending time with people who are close to me.”

While her evenings might be quiet, her days are anything but. Hutton is celebrating the second year of her lifestyle website Balance.

The move into the digital space was part of a “reinvention” that she said was necessary to stay “relevant” in a fast-changing landscape.

“That’s a lot of what I’ll be speaking about at the ASTRA conference — the need for women in the media to keep up with the changes going on around them.

“It’s an exciting time of change but it’s also important to adapt and keep up.”

Originally published as Media personality Deborah Hutton talks about her self-imposed retreat from the social limelight