James Packer has made headlines again, this time revealing that he’s been using the weight-loss drug Ozempic but is still facing challenges with his weight due to a secret addiction.
The former Crown Resorts billionaire shared his personal struggles in a heartfelt interview with Channel Seven’s Liam Bartlett.
Battles with Mental Health and Failed Relationships
On a stunning $300 million superyacht off Tahiti, Packer, now 57, discussed his long-standing battle with mental health issues.
He admitted to suffering from severe mental health problems for over thirty years.
His troubles began with a breakdown at the age of 33, following the collapse of his telco venture, One.Tel, in May 2001.
The failure of One.Tel, which left him with $327 million in debt, also marked the end of his marriage to former model Jodhi Meares.
“I felt terrible after One.Tel went broke,” Packer said.
“It wasn’t just the money; my marriage fell apart, and it was all over the newspapers every day.
It felt like the biggest story.”
Impact of His Father’s Death and Business Ventures
After his father Kerry Packer’s death in December 2005, James decided to exit the media world and invest heavily in Crown Resorts.
This move, however, came with its own set of challenges and contributed to further strain on his mental health and his second marriage to Erica Baxter.
Packer admitted to becoming “self-destructive” and turning to substance abuse to cope with his manic depression, leading to their separation in 2013.
“I don’t want to dwell too much on that,” he shared.
“I drank too much and did things I shouldn’t have.
I felt very guilty about my marriage to Erica not working out.
She deserved better, and my behavior contributed to our split.”
Struggles with Public Relationships and Personal Growth
Packer’s relationship with pop star Mariah Carey also faced its share of turbulence.
The couple’s engagement in January 2016 ended in October of the same year amidst public scrutiny and accusations.
Packer reflected on the fallout, “Mariah thought I planted a story about our breakup to make her look bad, which I hadn’t done. It was a mess.”
Following this, Packer sought professional help in late 2016 and quit alcohol in 2017.
However, a disturbing hallucination in 2018 led him to resign from his company boards and seek further help.
He spent two weeks at McLean Hospital, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Medication Challenges and Ongoing Journey
Packer’s treatment included various medications, which he described as having severe side effects.
“I was on lithium in 2022 and felt like a zombie,” he recalled.
“I’m now on different medication, but I’m embarrassed to say what it is.
I have a nurse who manages it for me.”
Despite being on Ozempic, Packer admitted that he’s gained weight due to a high sugar intake.
“I’m consuming a lot of sugar—biscuits, everything,” he confessed.
A Path to Improvement
At present, Packer weighs around 130 kg but feels his mental state has improved significantly.
“It’s one thing at a time,” he said.
“Mentally, I’m a lot better than I was six months ago.
I’m working on my weight now that my mental wellbeing is in a better place.”
Packer concluded with a message of persistence and self-improvement.
“I’m not saying I have all the answers, but I’m doing my best and continuing my journey,” he shared.
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