Australian billionaire Robert Whyte, 81, ‘ignites family feud’ as he becomes engaged to socialite Alessandra Eddy, 38

The engagement of an Australian billionaire and his much younger girlfriend has reportedly ruffled feathers among family members.

Robert Whyte, 81, who is the country’s 141st richest man, proposed to fashion marketer Alessandra Eddy, 38, days before they attended the annual Gold Dinner, the most exclusive charity gala in Australia, reports The Sunday Telegraph.

The proposal was apparently kept a closely guarded secret by the couple, who share a 43-year age gap, during the celebrity-packed event. 

Eddy, a prominent figure in Sydney’s social scene and single mother, is known for her role on the committee of the Gold Dinner.

During the soirée, she was seen mingling with high-profile guests but reportedly chose to conceal her new engagement ring.

Whyte was previously in a long-term relationship with Di Ipkendanz, to whom he reportedly never proposed. 

According to the rumours, Eddy’s father has taken issue with his daughter’s betrothal to a man more than four decades her senior.

Nicholas Eddy, a well-known Paddington lawyer, is said to be less than thrilled about his daughter’s rapid ascension into the billionaire’s life, after she apparently moved into Whyte’s sprawling $30million mansion in Darling Point.

Eddy founded Australian fashion brand Luna Atelier, which was known and loved by A-listers including Kelly Rowland, Cheyenne Tozzi and Kate Ritchie. 

Father of three Whyte was a private investor and banker who built his fortune on property and equity market investments and was a close friend of the late billionaire Kerry Packer.

The 2020 AFR Rich List ranked him 141st in Australia.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the couple for comment.