‘Trailblazer for Australian women’: Australia reacts to death of fashion icon, face of Women’s Weekly Maggie Tabberer

Tributes are pouring in for Australia’s first supermodel and the face of Women’s Weekly Maggie Tabberer – with prominent Australians remembering her as a “trailblazer”.

Tributes are pouring in for Australian fashion icon and “trailblazer” Maggie Tabberer following her death aged 87.

The two-time Gold Logie winner and icon of Australian television died on Friday morning, her daughter confirmed in an Instagram post.

“This morning we lost our beautiful mother and Nanna,” Maggie’s daughter, author and stylist Amanda Tabberer wrote.

“She was an icon in every sense of the word and we will miss her dearly … along with the rest of Australia. Rest in peace Nanna. We love you to bits forever.”

Australia's first supermodel Maggie Tabberer.

Maggie Tabberer (pictured on the cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly), Australia's first supermodel, has died. Picture: Instagram / Australian Women’s Weekly

Television presenter and journalist Lisa Wilkinson praised Tabberer for sharing her “innate female wisdom”, calling her an “absolute trailblazer for Australian women”.

Maggie’s manager and goddaughter Lauren Miller shared her own touching connection with her “favourite and only godmother” on Instagram.

“Vale Maggie Tabberer. Sharing this news with family, friends and all those that love and admire Maggie. Our families (are) forever bonded by the incredible love and loyalty between (the) Tabberers and Millers,” she wrote.

Model Deborah Hutton, who was closely mentored by Maggie, wrote “No words right now … Just tears. My heart goes out to the girls. May you rest in peace, beautiful Maggie.”

Australian painter Paul Newton shared his own tribute to the Aussie icon, a selfie with the model who posed for him twice across the decades.

Lisa Wilkinson penned a touching tribute to the "one of a kind" Tabberer. Image: Instagram

Artist Paul Newton painted Tabberer for the Archibald Prize in 1997 and 2020. Image: Instagram

Journalist Melissa Hoyer paid tribute to “the stories, the interviews, the influence, the innate style and class act of an extraordinary woman.”
“I was very happy to call her a friend. Maggie had that way about her – she was compassionate, straight forward and free of ego. An innately stylish & strong woman until the end,” Hoyer wrote in an online post.

Ms Tabberer was one of Australia’s best-known entertainment personalities and was named Australia’s Model of the Year in 1960 – kicking off decades of work in the modelling and television industry.

In 1981, Ms Tabberer became fashion editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly, remaining at the magazine until 1996.

The magazine’s editor Sophie Tedmanson said the Women’s Weekly team was saddened to learn of her death.

“Maggie has been a part of The Weekly family since she first appeared in our pages as a young fashion model in the 1960s,” she said.

“She went on to lead The Weekly’s style team as Fashion Editor for 15 years appeared on our cover at least 15 times.

“It was an era in which Australian fashion took on the world and Maggie blazed that trail.”

Fellow model and editor Deborah Hutton was mentored by Tabberer at Australian Women's Weekly. Image: Instagram

Ms Tabberer (pictured on the cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly) has been recognised as a fashion legend in Australia. Picture: Supplied / Australian Women's Weekly

Ms Tedmanson said Ms Tabberer graced the cover of the magazine’s September 2023 issue to celebrate The Australian Women’s Weekly’s 90th birthday.

She revealed Ms Tabberer was asked what she would advise women following in her footsteps, where she replied: “Do something you love”.

“We thank Maggie for her extraordinary legacy and send love to her entire family,” Ms Tedmanson said.

Ms Tabberer’s death has prompted a wave of tributes from Australia’s entertainment and fashion heavyweights.

Maggie Tabberer pictured in 1988.

Ms Tabberer’s career enjoyed remarkable longevity.

Born in Adelaide, she was a muse of photographer Helmut Newton in the 1950s, was the first Australian model to appear on the cover of Vogue Australia in 1961.

She was also the subject of Archibald Prize finalist portraits in 1997 and 2020, both painted by artist Paul Newton.

In 1963, Ms Tabberer began writing a fashion column for the Daily Mirror – which continued for 16 years.

She was one of the first “beauties” to appear on the panel television talk show Beauty and the Beast in 1964 and moved on to host her own daily chat show, Maggie.

Her time on Beauty and the Beast netted her back-to-back Gold Logies in 1970 and 1971.

She was the girl from Parkside who became a national fashion icon and media trailblazer. Stylish 'til the end. Vale Maggie Tabberer. pic.twitter.com/QUK3IFyu9c

— Michael Smyth (@MichaelSmyth_) December 6, 2024

The same year, she launched her own clothing label, Maggie T.

Ms Tabberer was awarded the Order of Australia in 1998 for her contributions to the fashion industry and support for various charities.

Journalist Andrew Hornery took to his Instagram with a touching tribute to Ms Tabberer – calling her a “legend, icon (and) champion”.

“There are not enough descriptors to truly encapsulate what she represented over a seven decade career,” Mr Hornery wrote.

Ms Tabberer, pictured with her daughters. Picture: Supplied

“We crossed paths many times and it was always a pleasure.

“She enjoyed a little tittle tattle and had a wonderful sense of humour – self deprecating but always positive.

“What a life. Vale lovely lady.”