Update: The family of Maggie Tabberer held a celebration for the life of Maggie Tabberer AM on February 10, 2025, at Randwick Ritz Cinema in Sydney; the editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Sophie Tedmanson attended the memorial.
In one of her last interviews, Maggie Tabberer AM said she’d like to be remembered as “a good mother, a good grandmother and a good friend”.
All of those qualities were remembered today when Maggie’s family and friends paid tribute to the fashion icon, who passed away in December, in a moving public memorial service in Sydney.
Fittingly held in The Randwick Ritz Cinema — “putting on The Ritz for Maggie” quipped host Mike Munro — the service paid tribute to Maggie’s extraordinary impact on Australian fashion and culture, including 15 years at The Weekly, and celebrated her love of family.
Former Women’s Weekly editor Deborah Hutton remembered Maggie as a supportive mentor and quipped about her last cover shoot for the 90th-anniversary issue in September 2023, where Maggie wore pink. While Maggie’s beloved daughters Brooke and Amanda and grandson Marco Bella — accompanied on stage by her favourite dog Freddy — recalled how she was a fair and devoted mother who they shared with the Australian public, and how much she adored her grandson.
In a beautifully moving finale, Marcia Hines sang an acapella rendition of Amazing Grace — a poignant send-off to Maggie T, to a woman full of style and grace.
On December 6, 2024, Australian icon Maggie Tabberer passed away, and tributes instantly began pouring in for the 87-year-old.
Maggie’s daughter Amanda Tabberer confirmed the sad news on December 6, 2024, via social media.
“This morning we lost our beautiful mother and Nanna. 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,” she wrote.
Leila McKinnon quickly commented on Amanda’s post with her condolences.
“Beautiful Maggie, what a wonderful woman, vale to such a generous spirit, we loved her. Sending our love to you,” the A Current Affair presenter wrote.
Neale Whitaker also commented, writing, “Very sad news … What an icon Maggie was.”
Jessica Rowe took to Instagram and paid her respects with her own post:
“Heartbroken over the passing of television & fashion icon Maggie Tabberer. Maggie was elegant, generous, brave & such good fun. And a trailblazer & supporter of women. I’ll never forget sitting next to her at Logies. I’m thinking so much about her beautiful girls & sending so much love.”
Lisa Wilkinson also took to Instagram and penned a lovely tribute for Maggie:
“Farewell to the exquisite Maggie Tabberer, a true Aussie icon. What a life you lived in your 88 years Maggie… model, muse, journalist, fashion editor, businesswoman, TV host, designer, author, mum, grandmother, and an absolute trailblazer for Australian women,” she wrote.
“Your elegance, grace, wit and innate female wisdom (a gift you were always so kind enough to share), were unmatched. Sincere condolences to you Brooke, Amanda and Marco. She truly was one of a kind.” he wrote.
Amanda Keller also paid tribute to Maggie, writing on Instagram:
“I just loved Maggie Tabberer. I first encountered her when I was a young segment producer on The Midday Show and she filled in as host for Ray Martin. I’ve never forgotten the grace and respect she afforded me and all those around her. She has greeted me with the same genuine kindness ever since. Sending condolences to the many who loved her.”
Furthermore, many of us here at The Weekly are fondly remembering Maggie.
Sophie Tedmanson, Editor of The Weekly, said:
“Maggie Tabberer was an Australian fashion icon and trailblazer for women around the world as well as at The Australian Women’s Weekly, where she remains a much-loved family member,” Sophie said (read Sophie’s full tribute to Maggie here).
Mattie Cronan, The Weekly’s Style Director, said:
“I was lucky enough to work with Maggie four times over the past 10 years and our last cover was for The Weekly’s 90th anniversary edition, just last year.
“Maggie was so kind and generous, and it was always a privilege to be in her presence. On our first shoot, she taught me the trick to tying her perfect turban, and in the shoots that followed Maggie would allow me to tie the turbans for her. I feel very lucky to have these memories and my thoughts are with her beloved daughters and extended family.”
Read The Weekly’s 90th-anniversary cover story with Maggie here.
