Pixie Skase widow of controversial businessman Christopher Skase dies in Melbourne
She was one of Melbourne’s most famous socialites in the 80s, known for holding extravagant parties and her love of diamonds and French champagne.
Australian socialite Pixie Skase has died aged 83.
The widow of controversial businessman Christopher Skase died in Melbourne on November 15, her family confirmed.
She was one of Melbourne’s most famous socialites in the 80s, known for holding extravagant parties, as well as her love of diamonds and French champagne.
Pixie’s daughter Amanda Larkins confirmed her mother’s death.
“Our beloved beautiful mother Pixie passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, the 15th of November,” Larkins said in a statement.
“We have had no words to express our loss, and still don’t. She was greatly loved and leaves a hole in our hearts. Rest in Peace Mum.”
Pixie Dixon was born in Melbourne in 1941. In her mid 20s she changed her first name to Joanne, according to her second husband George Frew, but she would be forever known as Pixie.
She had three daughters Amanda, Felicity and Kate with her first husband Albert Argenti, a famous Melbourne restaurateur.
In 1970 she married George Frew, who founded the Commodore hotel chain. The couple had a daughter Alexandra.
They separated in 1975, and Pixie started dating journalist turned businessman Christopher Skase in 1976. They married in 1979.
The pair became Melbourne’s ‘it’ couple of the 80s as Christopher’s business empire grew. He acquired Hardy Brothers jewellery company, the Mirage resorts in Queensland, Channel 7 and the Brisbane Bears Football Club.
After the collapse of Christopher’s Qintex group, life for the pair seemed to unravel. Pixie and her husband fled to the Spanish island of Majorca in the early 90s.
He declared himself bankrupt.
In 2001, Christoper died in Majorca from stomach cancer.
Pixie returned to Melbourne in 2009 and settled into a quieter life in Toorak. She was rarely spotted publicly, but was seen at Flemington Birdcage on Melbourne Cup Day in 2016 with friends.
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