FORMER ACP managing director Trevor Kennedy, a longtime friend and associate of Kerry Packer, has told the ABC's Australian Story that Packer and Ita Buttrose were "in love" during their heady days at the publishing empire.

But there is ample anecdotal evidence that his father was an authoritarian who was never particularly close to anyone, including his sons. In 2004 Business Review Weekly magazine estimated Packer's net worth at AUD 6.5 billion ($6.5 billion; about USD 5.4 billion). As Alan Bond went under, Packer converted this $250 million into a 37% stake in Bond Media. Forbes magazine valued.

Towards the end of 2005, Packer’s donated kidney began to fail him and he decided against any further treatment. For some weeks he had been living away from his eastern suburbs Sydney home in an apartment shared with his long-time mistress, Julie Trethowan. 22, Packer conducted extra-marital affairs with a number of women including the model Carol Lopes—who reportedly committed suicide after being shunned by Packer—publisher and former ConPress employee Ita Buttrose, and Julie Trethowan, his long-time mistress and manager (from 1983) of the Packer-owned Sydney city health and fitness club, the Hyde Park Club. Packer conducted extra-marital affairs with a number of women including the model Carol Lopes—who reportedly committed suicide after being shunned by Packer—publisher and former ConPress employee Ita Buttrose, and Julie Trethowan, his long-time mistress and manager (from 1983) of the Packer. Kerry Packer: biography 17 December 1937 – 26 December 2005 Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer, AC (17 December 1937 – 26 December 2005) was an Australian media tycoon. The son of Sir Frank Packer and Gretel Bullmore, the Packer family company owned controlling interest in both the Nine television network and leading Australian publishing company.

The relationship between the powerful media magnate and the most powerful woman in Australian publishing at the time has been a source of intrigue for three decades.

In the first of a two-part Australian Story profile of Buttrose on Monday, the pair's relationship was discussed openly by friends and associates.

Kennedy said: '(Ita) had an enormous influence over Kerry and essentially that arose out of their joint success of Cleo (magazine).'

'Obviously there was a bit of electricity uh… in the Ita-Kerry relationship... I think they were drawn by their mutual success, they were physically attracted to each other - they enjoyed each other...

Julie Trethowan Packer Boots

'Do I think they were in love? Yes, I think they were in love. They were hugely attracted to each other.'

Shifting in his seat he added: 'The Ita-Kerry relationship was a very special one - across all territories.'

Buttrose's best friend Jennifer Bouda, Packer's former PA, said the couple 'treasured' each others friendship while the woman who eventually replaced Buttrose as editor of Cleo, Lisa Wilkinson, reiterated: 'They had an incredible personal chemistry.'

Julie Trethowan Packer

In Part 2 of the special, which airs on Monday August 22, Buttrose is asked about the nature of the relationship with her boss, a married man.

Not for the first time she dodges the question.

'We were great friends, best friends, and we had a pact - and even though one of us is dead - I'm honouring the pact.'

She further added: 'Kerry was great person to work with. He was a lot of fun. He had this fantastic sense of humour, he had this natural curiosity. We thought alike... It's a very rare thing when this happens and it's very exciting.'

The recent hit mini-series Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo starring Asher Keddie is credited in the program with restoring Buttrose to public prominence.

Julie Trethowan Packer Coach

Her friend Jennifer Bouda said Buttrose was 'thoroughly enjoying' being back in the spotlight and is feeling 'rediscovered'.

Julie Trethowan Packer Socks

Originally published asLove among the paper giants