Annette Sharp: James Packer flies in to see mum Ros following her injury

Billionaire James Packer jetted into Sydney midweek, reportedly to spend time with his mum Ros, who is recuperating from a debilitating injury, writes Annette Sharp.

James Packer has slipped quietly into Sydney to visit his family.

The billionaire has been in residence at his $72 million Barangaroo One luxury apartment in recent days, after flying in midweek.

The visit is expected to be short, with the businessman-investor planning to head to New York next week to hear his friend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, address the UN assembly on September 27.

Packer’s return coincides with word his mother Ros is recovering from a recent injury.

Theatre-lover Ros, who turns 86 in November, is rarely sighted in public these days and, when she is, has been confined to a wheelchair, having endured two hip replacements and two knee replacements.

Recently the Packer matriarch tore her Achilles tendon, a painful injury with a slow recovery time.

James Packer with Renee Blythewood at Cannes Film Festival in May. Picture: Instagram

Packer at his Beverly Hills home in California. Picture: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner

Sources for Packer yesterday refused to disclose the nature of the business that has brought the rich-lister home, but did confirm he is here to spend time with family.

His sister Gretel and her children are also Sydney-based.

Packer is understood to have recently renewed his friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: AFP

His trip comes after his recent split with his girlfriend, American model Renee Blythewood, with whom he was photographed at an AIDS fundraiser in Cannes in May during the French Film Festival.

This column revealed the couple’s relationship earlier this year, several months after the mother-of-one posted images of a visit to Argentina where Packer keeps his polo ranch, Ellerstina, last year.

Blythewood, who hails from Nashville and was once linked to US television presenter Ryan Seacrest, tantalised media earlier this year with a series of glamour shots captured on Packer’s yacht.

According to sources, Packer was exceedingly generous during the couple’s short-lived relationship, showering the blonde with expensive gifts before the romance ran its course.

Packer has recently opened up about his mental health and private struggles. Picture: Channel 7

Packer’s return to Sydney comes on the back of a recent and uncharacteristic spate of public media interviews.

Earlier this month the 57-year-old appeared in a three-part investigation series broadcast by ABC’s Australian Story and last week he featured on Channel 7’s Spotlight program, having granted reporter Liam Bartlett and a TV crew rare private access to him on his lavish superyacht IJE.

Packer’s sister Gretel and mum Ros both live in Sydney. Picture: WireImage

The access was given after Packer received an approach from Lifeline International president and former politician John Brogden, who profiled Packer for a new book Profiles in Hope.

Packer is one of 15 Australians Brogden spoke to who have either contemplated suicide or returned from the brink.

Packer and the one-time Member for Pittwater are said to be old friends.

Packer’s rep informed this column the former Crown Resorts boss, who told Bartlett he travels with a private nurse these days to manage his medications — to which Ozempic was recently added — will fly to New York next week after being invited to listen to his friend Mr Netanyahu address the UN assembly.

In 2015 Packer was photographed observing Netanyahu as he addressed US Congress in Washington.

The two men, who were introduced in 2014 by mutual friend Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, are understood to have recently renewed their acquaintanceship.

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Originally published as Annette Sharp: James Packer flies in to see mum Ros following her injury