The Australian fashion and television world is mourning the loss of a true legend.
Maggie Tabberer, a two-time Gold Logie winner and former Australian Women’s Weekly fashion editor, has died at the age of 87.
Her daughter, author Amanda Tabberer, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram this morning.
A Life of Glamour and Achievement
Born in 1936 in Adelaide, Tabberer’s remarkable career spanned over five decades. She began as a model in the late 1950s and was crowned Model of the Year in 1960. Her stunning looks and charismatic personality quickly made her a household name in Australia.
From Runway to TV Screen
In the early 1960s, Tabberer shifted her focus to publishing, penning a popular fashion column for the Daily Mirror. She soon made her way to television, becoming a regular panellist on Beauty and the Beast. Her eponymous talk show Maggie earned her back-to-back Gold Logies in 1970 and 1971, making her the first woman to achieve this feat.
Fashion Icon and Entrepreneur
Tabberer’s impressive resume doesn’t stop there. She founded her own public relations company, launched her own clothing brand Maggie T, and wrote a bestselling autobiography, Maggie, in 1998. Her contributions to charity and fashion were recognized with a Member of the Order of Australia in the same year.
A Life in Portraits
Twice, Tabberer was the subject of a portrait that made the prestigious Archibald Prize finalists list. Artist Paul Newton captured her essence in 1999 and again in 2020, showcasing her timeless elegance and beauty.
A Final Bow
In 2015, Tabberer came out of retirement to feature on the cover of Australian Women’s Weekly. Four years later, she was named a finalist for the Australian Fashion Laureate, an honor that ultimately went to Laura Brown, who dedicated the award to Tabberer.
As we bid farewell to this Australian icon, we remember her remarkable life, her trailblazing spirit, and her enduring legacy in the world of fashion and television. Rest in peace, Maggie Tabberer.