5 Things to know about Mariah Carey's new billionaire boyfriend

joan

June 23, 2015 11:08 AM

James Douglas Packer is one of the richest people in Australia but there is more to him than you see.

Mariah Carey and James Packer

Mariah Carey's rumored new rich boyfriend is called James Douglas Packer. He's a 47-year-old businessman and philanthropist and also one of the richest people in Australia. But here are five other things you may want to know about James.

He was born rich - The family company, Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, was passed down to him after his father Kerry died in 2005. In 2006, he reportedly sold half of his media assets and became a prolific casino owner.

He did not attend university - In lieu of sending his son to college, Kerry sent James to his Newcastle Waters cattle station in order to toughen him up for business.

He's been married before. Packer wed swimsuit model Jodhi Meares in October 1999, but the couple were separated by June 2002. He then married model and singer Erica Baxter in June 2007 after four years of dating. Packer and Baxter divorced in 2013, sharinf three children together: Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle.

He reportedly expressed an interest in the Church of Scientology. Packer said that he found Scientology "helpful" in the wake of his first failed marriage. At the time, Packer was good buddies with Tom Cruise but he later distanced himself from the church.

He's a lover and a fighter. Last year, Packer was caught in a public tussle with the head of Channel Nine, David Gyngell. Reports say they fought over Victoria's Secret angel and Orlando Bloom's ex wife, Miranda Kerr. Packer and Gyngell are childhood friends.

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joan