Pies president splits from WA-based wife

Newly elected Collingwood president Jeff Browne and Perth-based business identity Rhonda Wyllie have split.

Newly elected president Jeff Browne has split from wife Rhonda Whyllie. Picture: Britta Campion

Newly elected Collingwood president Jeff Browne and Perth-based business identity Rhonda Wyllie have ended their marriage.

The couple separated over a year ago and their divorce has been finalised.

Mr Browne moved back to Melbourne in early 2021, purchasing a $4m bayside apartment, while Ms Wyllie remained in Perth.

At the time the move was put down to Western Australia’s tight Covid-19 restrictions making it extremely difficult for Mr Browne to travel for his east coast business interests.

Jeff Browne and Rhonda Wyllie.

Ms Wyllie is the chair of her family-owned investment company Wyllie Group, regularly appears on wealth estimating ‘rich lists’ and is a significant name in Western Australian business and philanthropic circles.

She confirmed prior to Christmas that she and Mr Browne were no longer together.

In a statement to The West Australian newspaper she described the union as “irreconcilable.”

Mr Browne and Ms Wyllie met on a blind date at the 2013 Logie Awards and wed at Ms Wyllie’s property in Coolup, 100km from Perth, in 2018.

Eddie McGuire was MC with then-Foreign Minister Julie Bishop among the guests.

Boy George performed at the reception for the 300 guests.

Late last year Mr Browne won his hard fought bid to be elected president of the Collingwood Football Club.

A corporate powerbroker, Mr Browne is the chairman of MA Financial Group and was a former managing director of the Nine Network Australia.

His ascension to the position of Magpie chief will see him help steer the club towards greater success on the field.

Mr Browne declined to comment when contacted yesterday.