After a $1.8billion collapse, failed pub baron Jon Adgemis resurfaces among Sydney’s elite at socialite’s Icebergs party… with a mystery blonde by his side
Failed pub baron Jon Adgemis put his bankruptcy troubles on ice for a day of celebrations on Saturday, sparking society chatter when he arrived with a glamorous blonde companion.
The former hospitality high flyer, whose spectacular business collapse left him with debts of approximately $1.8billion, was seen among the guests at eastern suburbs socialite Amira Ross’ birthday party at Bondi Icebergs on Saturday.
Looking relaxed in a black singlet, cargo pants and sunglasses, Adgemis was spotted arriving at the bustling venue with a young woman clutching a bouquet of flowers.
Our source in the crumbling Adgemis kingdom wouldn’t be drawn into discussing the nature of the relationship, though it’s understood the lucky lady is named Olivia.
They did not deny Adgemis and Olivia were a couple.
At one stage, Adgemis stopped to tie his shoelaces, while his female friend – who turned heads in a wine-red corset top and denim shorts – patiently waited nearby.
Failed pub baron Jon Adgemis put his bankruptcy troubles on ice for a day of celebrations on Saturday, sparking society chatter when he arrived with a glamorous blonde companion
The former hospitality high flyer, whose spectacular business collapse left him with debts of approximately $1.8billion, was spotted among the guests at eastern suburbs socialite Amira Ross’ birthday party at Bondi Icebergs on Saturday
Looking relaxed in a black singlet, cargo pants and sunglasses, Adgemis was spotted arriving at the bustling venue with a young woman clutching a bouquet of flowers
Adgemis’ last documented relationship was with American model and actress Megan MacKenzie.
The former couple met in 2017 and became engaged before splitting in October 2024.
Meanwhile, birthday girl Ross was spotted arriving at Icebergs with her gal pal Nat Lockhart.
The brunette, who last made headlines after the tragic death of her late ex-partner Rocket Stickney, looked stylish in a cut-out black singlet and matching mini skirt.
She added height to her slim frame with a pair of Gucci wedges, and accessorised with chic sunglasses, layered necklaces and earrings.
Adgemis’ appearance at the soirée comes a year after he was declared bankrupt, capping a dramatic fall from grace for the once-dominant hospitality mogul.
The businessman, who built a sprawling portfolio of pubs and hotels through his Public Hospitality Group, saw his empire collapse under the weight of mounting debts, leaving creditors facing claims totalling approximately $1.8billion.
His downfall has been one of Australia’s most spectacular hospitality collapses, with receivers moving to sell off venues and other assets to recover money owed.
The young woman turned heads in a wine-red corset top and denim shorts
Our sources in the crumbling Adgemis kingdom wouldn’t be drawn into discussing the nature of the relationship, though it’s understood the lucky lady is named Olivia
Adgemis’ last documented relationship was with model and actress Megan MacKenzie
At his peak, Adgemis controlled 22 pubs and hotels and was gunning to rival Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes.
But the past 12 months have seen Adgemis’ defunct empire steadily dismantled, as receivers and liquidators work to unravel the complex business collapse.
In October last year, a last-ditch attempt by Adgemis to buy back five hotels unravelled after he missed a $6.7million payment deadline. The venues had been placed into receivership the previous month.
The sell-off continued into 2026, with four of his old venues, the South Bondi Hotel, Hotel Diplomat, Empire Hotel and Claridge House, initially selling for a combined $130million in January.
Birthday girl Amira Ross is seen on the left
Adgemis stopped to tie his shoelaces, while his female friend patiently waited nearby
Ross (right) was spotted arriving at Icebergs with her gal pal Nat Lockhart (left)
She added height to her slim frame with a pair of Gucci wedges, and accessorised with chic sunglasses, layered necklaces and earrings
She wore her long mane out in natural waves and enhanced her outfit with a fresh makeup look
Adgemis’ appearance at the soirée comes a year after he was declared bankrupt, capping a dramatic fall from grace for the once-dominant hospitality mogul
The businessman saw his empire collapse under the weight of mounting debts, leaving creditors facing claims totalling approximately $1.8billion
His downfall has been one of Australia’s most spectacular hospitality collapses, with receivers moving to sell off venues and other assets to recover money owed
At his peak, Adgemis controlled 22 pubs and hotels and was gunning to rival Justin Hemmes
Two of those properties, the South Bondi Hotel and the Empire Hotel, were subsequently sold again in a deal worth about $80million after an earlier proposed transaction fell through.
Meanwhile, the saga has prompted continued scrutiny of Adgemis’ former companies.
In August, the Federal Court heard evidence during examinations into the failure of Public Hospitality and its links to Linchpin Hospitality, a company that managed several pubs previously associated with Adgemis.
The court was shown an email from January 2025 in which Adgemis asked a former Linchpin director to appoint Monaco-based investor Marco Bettelli as the company’s sole director, raising further questions about the relationship between the businesses.
The past 12 months have seen Adgemis’ former hospitality empire steadily dismantled, as receivers and liquidators work to unravel the complex business collapse
In October last year, a last-ditch attempt by Adgemis to buy back five hotels unravelled after he missed a $6.7million payment deadline
The sell-off continued into 2026, with four of his former venues – the South Bondi Hotel, Hotel Diplomat, Empire Hotel and Claridge House – initially selling for a combined $130million
Two of those properties, the South Bondi Hotel and the Empire Hotel, were subsequently sold again in a deal worth about $80million after an earlier proposed transaction fell through
The saga has prompted continued scrutiny of Adgemis’ former companies
There has also been scrutiny of alleged improper GST refund claims involving companies connected to his former business empire.
Alexandra Andruska, formerly the chief financial officer of Public Hospitality Group, made jaw-dropping allegations about Adgemis’ involvement in the claims during Federal Court proceedings.
Adgemis has denied personal wrongdoing.
The bankruptcy order was made by the Federal Court on October 3, 2025, following action involving the Australian Taxation Office.
