Wife of billionaire’s astonishing physical transformation, inside a pokie tycoon’s lavish wedding to young beauty… and which A-lister did I spy on a cosy Christmas date? THE GROUP CHAT WITH LUCY MANLY
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia’s most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.
Billionaire’s wife’s before-and-after
One of Australia’s wealthiest men has proven that money can’t buy rhythm, but it can buy a beachfront mansion, piano and a captive audience.
Logistics billionaire Richard White, 70 (estimated net worth: a casual $9.7 billion), is understood to have hosted a festive piano singalong at his sprawling Palm Beach mansion just days before Christmas, alongside his fiery lawyer-turned-power-partner girlfriend, Zena Nasser, 45.
In a video obtained by The Group Chat, the couple enthusiastically tackle Billy Joel’s Piano Man, offering guests a front-row seat to what might generously be called a highly spirited performance.
The couple welcomed a baby daughter, Jasmine, via surrogate in July last year, Ms Nasser’s second child. She also has a teenage daughter, while Mr White has adult children from a previous marriage.
The revealing video comes after Ms Nasser has done a remarkably thorough job of scrubbing the internet of both old and new photos of herself.
Still, a few relics remain: professional headshots from her former life as a practising criminal defence lawyer, before she became Australia’s most talked-about corporate WAG.
Her transformation began around 2020, when the boxy blazers and ballet flats were quietly retired.
Richard White and Zena Nasser are seen hosting a pre-Christmas singalong at their Palm Beach home
The couple with their young daughter Jasmine
Ms Nasser has done a remarkably thorough job of scrubbing the internet of both old and new photos of herself. Nowadays she sports lighter hair, plumper lips, a more chiselled jawline and almond-shaped eyes—changes that can only be described as Kardashian-adjacent
In came lighter hair, plumper lips, a more chiselled jawline and almond-shaped eyes—changes that might politely be described as Kardashian-adjacent.
The wardrobe followed suit, swapping court-appropriate neutrals for full-glam confidence.
The festive mood arrives despite echoes of a recent legal saga involving Mr White’s former lover, beauty entrepreneur Linda Rogan.
Ms Rogan and Mr White were introduced by Ms Nasser over dinner at Sydney’s Bambini Trust & Restaurant in 2022.
Ms Rogan’s court battles with the founder of WiseTech Global, a $32bn software giant, centred on untested allegations of a $91,474 furniture bill and a $13.1 million Vaucluse property that White bought her.
Ms Rogan, 56, owns laser clinics in Double Bay, Cairns and New Zealand. The dispute ended in a reported out of court settlement.
Do the hokey pokie
Another week, another heir getting hitched in Byron Bay.
Peter Ainsworth — grandson of pokie king Len Ainsworth and heir to a billion-dollar Aristocrat Gaming fortune – officially tied the knot at Raes on Wategos for his big day… because, of course he did.
The groom married young beauty Ally Jayne Price in what was described as an extravagant reception – all white linen, ocean views and the unmistakable scent of generational wealth.
Guests reportedly soaked up the luxe setting while pretending this wasn’t the most predictable wedding location of the decade.
But Ainsworth is no stranger to headlines – and not all of them have been wedding-day friendly.
Peter Ainsworth is pictured with his baby mama Alice (left). He later hooked up with then-Bada Bing waitress Alysha (right)
Young beauty Ally Jayne Price has wed Aristocrat Gaming heir Peter Ainsworth
The heir previously found himself splashed across the tabloids after leaving his then partner, Alice McClure, shortly after the birth of their daughter in 2014.
Alice later took her grievances public, flinging accusations around about Ainsworth on A Current Affair.
Before settling down with Ms Price, Ainsworth was also romantically linked to former Bada Bing waitress Alysha Bishop, adding yet another tabloid chapter to an already colourful dating résumé.
Now newly married, suntanned and sealed with a Byron Bay kiss, the billionaire heir appears keen to move on to his next act.
Whether this one stays out of the gossip pages remains to be seen — and with that surname, that fortune and that wedding venue, don’t bet against it.
I spy with my little eye
Troye Sivan was spotted enjoying a decidedly cosy Sunday session at Carlton Wine Room just days before Christmas — and no, he wasn’t dining solo.
The pop star, model and actor was seen deep in conversation with a mystery man, the pair lingering over wine and looking perfectly at ease in each other’s company.
No entourage, no fuss, just quiet laughs, shared plates while perched at the bar.
I spied Troy Sivan having a cosy drink at Carlton Wine Room in Melbourne ahead of Christmas
I spied the pair, noting the easy chemistry and low-key intimacy, the kind that doesn’t need to announce itself to be noticed.
Whether it was a festive fling, an old flame or simply a very close friend remains anyone’s guess but it certainly didn’t read as a first date.
In a room full of Melbourne regulars pretending not to look, Troye and his companion still managed to be the most talked-about pairing of the afternoon.
