New ABC boss Ita Buttrose takes nephew Richard to star event

She has just landed one of the top media jobs in the country, but it was new ABC boss Ita Buttrose’s plus-one that had tongue’s wagging at an event in her honour. Accompanying Buttrose was her nephew, convicted drug dealer Richard Buttrose.

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She stood by him when he was sent to prison for drug supply and newly appointed ABC chair Ita Buttrose has clearly remained close to her nephew, Richard Buttrose.

The media doyenne took Buttrose as her plus-one to an event in her honour last week, eight days after being announced as the new leader for the public broadcaster.

The pair put on a display of unity as they posed for Sydney Confidential’s photographer alongside her niece Eve at the launch of Barbie’s 60th at the iconic North Bondi Surf Club last Friday.

Ita Buttrose with her Niece Eve and Nephew Richard Buttrose. at the recent launch of Barbie’s 60th at North Bondi Surf Club. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

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Buttrose, who was released from jail in 2017 after serving nine years of a 12-year sentence following his high-­profile prosecution, told Confidential he enjoyed being able to support his aunt Ita, whose brother ­Julian is Richard’s late father.

“On top of all her other accomplishments, I was very proud of my aunt when she was named chairman of the ABC. But bigger than that achievement, she’s been immortalised as a Barbie doll,” 46-year-old Buttrose said.

Veteran journalist Buttrose was last week honoured by toy manufacture Mattel with a Barbie doll made in her own likeness.

Richard Buttrose pictured a free man after leaving Berrima Gaol in 2018 after serving eight years in jail for drug offences. Pictured: Sam Ruttyn

Buttrose walking out of Berrima Gaol. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Ita Buttrose Barbie sports a red shirt and jacket, a black skirt and heels complete with the polished “Buttrose bob” and a black handbag with a newspaper.

Buttrose showed continual support for her nephew despite his very public drug arrest in 2009. The 77-year-old often sat front row during Richard’s court appearance after he was caught with two 6kg bricks of cocaine and more than $1.3 million in cash. However her nephew has since turned his life around, having completed two university degree’s during his time in prison.

“I have done my time,” the father of two previously told The Daily Telegraph. “I did the best to make the most of my time, I did two university degrees and now I am out a better person.”

Ita did not respond when contacted for comment.

Originally published as New ABC boss Ita Buttrose takes nephew Richard to star event