Geoffrey Edelsten farewelled in private after ‘life of extravagance’

Flamboyant businessman Geoffrey Edelsten was remembered as a man of contradictions — a quietly spoken friend who lived a life of extravagance — as he was laid to rest in Melbourne.

Controversial businessman Geoffrey Edelsten was laid to rest on Wednesday with about 30 mourners gathered at a private funeral in Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

The 78 year-old, who died at his Balencea Apartments home on St Kilda Road last Friday, was buried with a traditional Jewish service.

Friends of the flamboyant former doctor and Sydney Swans owner remembered him as an enigma with a zest for life who lived it to the full.

One friend, Michael, spoke of his skill as a doctor, his passion for Carlton Football Club and his trusting nature which was often to his detriment.

Another noted the contradiction of what was seen in the media and the headlines he created through his colourful stunts and marriages.

They said his hair-raising life of publicity was not a true representation of the individual.

David, a former school friend, described him as “quietly spoken, polite, good company, loyal, respectful and above all a warm and engaging human being.”

Geoffrey Edelsten‘s coffin - a plain casket - arrives at Springvale Cemetery to be laid to rest. Picture: David Caird

A small number of mourners were on hand. Picture: David Caird

Edelsten’s coffin is escorted from the hearse to his final resting place. Picture: David Caird

Mourners graveside in Springvale. Picture: David Caird

Friends remembered Edelsten as a man of contradictions. Picture: David Caird

Mourners pay their respects. Picture: David Caird

A friend who sent in a message to be read, added: “His personal life has been aired in many shades of bright colours. It’s dominated so much media because of a spectacle of delectable wives but it was traumatic to his family … he went after that exposure whilst living a life of extravagance.”

Despite Edelsten’s flashy life, his final months, according to friends, were spent as a recluse and away from the spotlight he craved.

His carer, his brother and the cleaner who found his body were at his apartment in the hours after his death.

Edelsten’s passing led to polarising views, with some focusing on his penchant for much younger brides and disgraced business dealings.

His most recent wife Gabi Grecko made a claim on Tuesday that the pair are still married and she’s a widow.

The New York-based ex-stripper turned aspiring rapper and fashion designer, now calls herself Tript N GLittA.

She wrote: “For people who have asked. No me and Geoffrey were still married when he passed away, no divorce, widowed.”

She also bizarrely posted a now deleted comment from a follower saying Edelsten was leaving her something in his will.

Guests attend Edelsten's funeral. Picture: Matrix

Edelsten’s final months were spent as a recluse, friends say. Picture: David Caird

One friend spoke at the funeral of Edelsten’s skill as a doctor, his passion for the Carlton footy club and his trusting nature - often to his detriment. Picture: David Caird

After getting engaged in 2014, when Edelsten got down on one knee in the middle of the Birdcage at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, they married in a low key registry service in the back of a North Melbourne shop.

Edelsten and Grecko posed for their official wedding photos among bins and graffiti in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane.

At the time Edelsten said: “It went very well and we are very pleased,” adding that “it was thrilling. I was very excited. This is the real deal.”

They separated just five months later and briefly rekindled in 2017.

Edelsten’s other high profile ex-wife Brynne Edelsten sent her “deepest and sincerest condolences” over her former husband’s death.

Geoffrey Edelsten at the Red Ball in 2015. Picture: Getty

Edelsten shares a joke with supporters at Princes Park.

Brynne and Edelsten outside Crown Casino.

“Brynne and Geoffrey enjoyed some truly beautiful moments, including their wedding in 2009. While their marriage ended after five years together, Brynne remains grateful for the good times the couple shared,” a spokesman said.

The pair married in 2009 in a lavish $3m ceremony that featured a helicopter, a Bentley, 550 guests, circus performers and appearances by Jason Alexander and Fran Drescher.

They separated five years later.

In 1984 he married 19-year old model Leanne Nesbitt.

Edelsten sold his medical empire, Allied Medical Group, to Sonic Healthcare for a reported $125 million.

Edelsten pocketed about $65 million from the sale, which he then squandered through a series of failed deals.