This one is obvious. Of course Mariah Carey and James Packer were always going to get engaged. We knew that as soon as we learned that Mariah was dating a billionaire. We knew it as soon as Packer slammed other singers. We knew it as soon as we learned that Mariah and James were having sex. Of course he proposed. Thankfully, he waited until she had (mysteriously) lost weight over the holidays.
Congratulations are in order – Mariah Carey and James Packer are engaged! The proposal took place in her hometown of New York City on Thursday evening, PEOPLE has learned. Carey, 45, and Packer, 48, – an Australian businessman – first met at the Hercules premiere “a few years ago”, she told Steve Harvey last year. They made their red carpet debut in September last year at The Intern premiere in New York City after being photographed getting cozy while on an Italian vacation in June.
Shortly before Christmas, the couple headed to Aspen, Colorado with the singer’s 4-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan with ex-husband Nick Cannon.
This will be the third marriage for Carey, who was also previously married to music executive Tommy Mottola. Packer has three young children with his ex-wife Erica Baxter.
TMZ has some blurry photos of Mariah flashing her new engagement ring – go here to see. TMZ also claims that James “secretly rounded up a bunch of Mariah’s close friends for a private dinner at Eleven Madison Park … so he could get down on one knee and propose in front of the most special people in her life.” He really does “get” Mariah, I’m not sure if we’ve said that before. He gets that she needs jewelry, praise and attention all the time. He gets that she’s a princess and she needs her men to spoil her. And now he gets to be her third husband. And you know what? I don’t hate it. Mariah snagged a billionaire in under a year. She should teach a class. Miranda Kerr would sign up for it.
Update: The Daily Mail has a clear photo of Mariah’s ring – go here to see. Packer went for giant and expensive, bless him.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Crazy little minx. Hopefully, the third time is the charm. This time she has a billion ways to keep her happy.
They look deliriously happy in the TMZ video and seem to be a good match. The ring is too big but it’s what Mariah likes and her fiancee can afford it. The fiancee needs to quit smoking though if they want a long marriage.
I like that they’re both the same age (46, 47). Not that it matters too much, but many men with his kind of money would make it a priority to land a teenager or 20 something model.
May I present…. “Jamiah”. It was either that or “Maracker”.
Will these men ever learn?
Holy crap, the angle of her foot in the picture of her coming down the stairs!!
This is why I don’t wear high heels.
Back on topic – good luck to ’em. May they live happily ever after in a castle made from diamonds and glitter.
and butterflies!! Don’t forget the butterflies 😛
And someone had better remember to get her basket of puppies as well.
The engagement ring looks like a copy of the Elizabeth Taylor Krupp diamond ring.
That was purchased by a private seller at auction.
Knowing Mariah’s penchant for collecting the belongings of iconic women – she has Marilyn’s piano and her first weddin dress was inspired by Diana’s wedding dress, I wonder if he tracked down the original or had a jeweller make a copy.
You know, that would actually be really sweet and romantic. Good for them.
Interesting, the Krupp was 33cts and bought by a South Korean for $8millon, this is very close in size and is probably worth around $4million if it is a Flawless D (Liz’s name added about 50% to the price of the Krupp)
I feel like this pairing could actually work.
I mean, he has the means to accommodate her drama and demands, and seems to enjoy it, so why not, right?
And she really should teach a class, for Leo’s exes and underemployed supermodels.
She could get Selma Hayek in as a guest lecturer …
I don’t know…yes she landed a billionaire, but she is crazy rich on her own, she doesn’t come out as the “gold digger” type, while the underemployed supermodels (LOL) can look like (are? ) gold diggers, and this can be a good reason not to marry them, unless you make them sign an ironclad prenup.
But Salma could teach a thing or two…
They are strangely suited to each other. He likes glamorous women who’s looks are far superior to his. She likes money. Good luck guys!
I know! I actually think it could work. Good for her, good for him.
I don’t know that I would break it down to “she likes money”, so much as Packer seems to get that Mariah needs to be spoiled and needs to be priority #1. She’s got money of her own, after all.
She does have her own money, but Packer has billions…..
Mariah’s got her own quirky wants and needs, whatever they may be, and this man seems to be okay with it all. He’s in love with her and I think they both want that more than either of them need money. Money certainly helps create a delicious lifestyle but it does not alone have anything to do with real love. I’ve always supported Mariah and I’m just happy she found someone she’s happy with.
I agree they are a good match for several reasons, but I don’t think The Elustive Chanteuse is so better looking than he is. Mariah was attractive back in the 90’s but not so much now. Who cares though? Maybe the fact that he doesn’t need an arm candy model is the best thing for her ego, ’cause girl got an ego. I don’t think she needs his money at all, but he is worldly, and can provide the luxurious life she wants without her money and without her even knowing. My guess is at this point in his life, his money is working for him now, and he has the time to devote to being Mariah’s biggest fan which is what she needs for her personality and insecurities. He seems to make her a priority without resentment. I do hope she can be a good stepmother because his children are young. that is the only thing I worry about with these two. Mariah wants center stage all the time and she will have to allow him to make his kids his top priority when they are with him. And she can’t pit her kids against his kids in some kind of weird competition – I’ve seen that before.
I don’t think that either of Packer’s ex wives were good looking. True ,they are better looking than him but only just. They had good bodies as models but their faces no.
“Mariah snagged a billionaire in under a year. She should teach a class. Miranda Kerr would sign up for it.”
Priceless!
And Mazal Tov to the happy couple.
I need to sign up for Mariah’s Rules: How to get a billionaire!
Maybe the third time is the charm.
That photo of James sitting back having a cigarette, watching Mariah nearly doing a tumble into the boat is too much.
I’m supposed to wince and Tsk at the ungentlemanly conduct in that photo, BUT it always makes me laugh.
….but seriously, if a person would rather watch than help as you (nearly) tumble down the stairs, nevermind the staff to hand, that’s a problem right there.
Basic good manners are more attractive than billions.
Match made in heaven. May it last forever.
It kills me too but in all fairness a trip happens in an instant. I’m sure he reacted in the next frame but that picture wouldn’t sell like this one, would it??
+1
True and yet I hope they never stop using that picture, ’cause I’m petty like that. But I also kind of love Mariah. The two do not cancel each other out. 😀
Oh Mimi you saucy minx you! This is how is done, Miranda lol! Congrats to Mimi, her billionaire, dem babies and the lambily 😂
I’m pretty sure Mariah’s Class 501 on Social Engineering and Economics would start and end with ‘be an attractive, talented, vastly successful trophy butterfly named Mariah Carey’. All the little models would waste their money.
I find him very unattractive, but she looks happy, so good luck to them.
We’re on the same boat here, but I heard and read times and times again that he is actually very nice. Mariah does not need a man with an ego of his own like Motto-something or an ambitious up-and-comer like Nick. James seems well-adjusted and ready to cater to her.
Oh, that’s good. I’m glad.
MelissaManifesto: Our James is known for being a very nice man, despite his vast family wealth and his own success. He’s evidently very generous to those close to him, too. It’s also a credit to him that he’s never spoken a bad word about his exes. Shame about the face, though… If you Google his father, Kerry Packer, you’ll see he got the short end of the stick. Even his sister, Gretel, was blessed with the Packer genes, although she’s actually become rather attractive as she’s gotten older.
People here are talking about how quickly he proposed, but it’s not as if they’re a young couple. They’ve both been round the block a few times. I wonder how long he’ll be able to endure her princessey ways, since he’s so down-to-earth…? Still, all the best to them.
Packer genes = big face genes. They aren’t super unattractive, though, I don’t think. They just all seem to have big ass faces. Nice lips :).
did she had some work done ? she looks gorgeous lately. Anyway good luck to her and future husband.
She looks amazing these days and I think it’s a sign that she is finally very happy. I love this match. Very happy for the two of them and their blended broods.
I don’t get why people act like she’s some broke social climber in regards to him being a billionaire it’s not like she’s not already loaded with a decorated past career.
Exactly. She is not in the same category as these models. She is talented and an international superstar (even if she is past her prime).
Perfect match. And she would waste her time being carried back and forth to a class. He pursued her because he wanted a super famous star. Any rich guy can score a model (or a dozen), but how many can claim that they married an A list music star?
Miranda on the other hand could teach a class. Get a hot HW star (you may disagree but when Orly married her, he was a big deal), cheat with a despicable teen star, have affair with married billionaire, move on to a younger billionaire when the first one didn’t bite. That, right there, is worthy of teaching if a woman wants to exchange self respect for $$$.
There was also Leo and another billionaire, the Bingle guy iirc
I agree. I said it above, but Mariah is not in the same category as these models.
You gotta love a man who will carry a purse for you! Love her and love the Mariah teachable moment note to Miranda Kerr. She should have snagged that little wienie by now (at least before his unicorn company takes a total nose dive).
Speaking of Miranda Kerr, does anyone know the latest with her romance with the SnapChat fella? We’ve heard no gossip down here about that coupling.
And miranda and mariah don’t even have the same situation. Maria has talent and is 100 times more rich than miranda. He knows that maria won’t need his money as much as miranda, that’s why he will likely marry Maria than miranda, nothing to do with their personalities.
That makes no sense, he has more than enough money to support several wives and the wherewithal to protect his assets. He’s clearly generous, having already splashed out several million in jewels for Mariah. Money is obviously no object. Clearly he prefers her — this is not a man who has to choose a partner based on economics.
my point is that he would have likely married an independent woman over a social climber like miranda kerr.
Mariah won’t blow it though for the first hot and/or rich guy who pays attention to her. Miranda’s eyes will always wander in search for a better option, or a fast ego stroke.
I think Miranda was an “easy” catch for him. Didn’t really have to try hard for her. But Mariah on the other hand, probably played HARD to get. She played her cards right. Powerful men like him enjoy the challenge and conquest.
I read somewhere that Mariah has/had a sex rule: sex only once a week like just on Mondays…or something like that. Probably not true.
@Dana Im surprised to read that she slept with him at all before the engagement. Eminem said/rapped they dated for 6 mths and she slpt with him once… there were more sources to confirm that kind of thing, I think.
Vanessa: he has dated, engaged and married several less tier models than Miranda.
At least Miranda achieved a measure of international success compared to his previous conquests.
And Maria’s money is pocket change to a multi-billionaire. His yacht alone is in the $100M range. No way Mariah (or Beyonce if we are measuring comparable pocketbooks) could afford that level of lifestyle which is why they rent and he OWNS!!!! That’s just one toy he plays with.
Another example….he optioned a marketing campaign for his newly opened Macao Casino and hired Leo, DeNiro, Scorcese and Brad Pitt, but paid them $17M EACH.
The amount of money he spends on the jewellery he gives her, with apparently no discount like that $500K pendant or the engagement ring alleged to be 35 carats.
Her money doesn’t compare to his money no matter that she is far richer than any of the women he was previously involved with.
+1
I’ve always defined golddiggers as people who go after and marry those who have even more money than they have because they like having the added financial security. I don’t see golddiggers as being limited to poor and middle class folks.
I’ve always felt kind of sorry for Mariah, but she’s been a hot mess for some time. She’s had questionable taste in men. Given all the grief Madonna gets for not acting like and dressing HER AGE, I’d say the same thing about Mariah. She’s still an attractive, sexy woman, but she’s not 20 years old anymore.
I always loved her. Good for her !
Is this a marriage of convenience? She gets the wealthy status. He gets a singer for his casinos?
What’s going on here? She’s all sorts of crazy. It’s going to get tiring fast.
Call me a cynic, but that’s what I think too.
I want to change my name to ‘Cynical anne_000.’
Yes, come join me over here on the dark side. This relationship is a wonderland of excessive everything, non-stop cray-cray and mountainous heaps of cash.
@ CyncialCeleste
😀
The ring’s apparently worth $7.5 M… all I can do is let out a sigh at this whole thing.
They seem very well-suited for each other! Congrats! If those two crazy kids can’t make it work I don’t know who can!
I also want to acknowledge the age-appropriate match. VERY refreshing!
I dont think its a matter of MC ever actually being a gold-digger but rather having someone on the same level financially as she is, even further up that ladder. She gets to enjoy spending $$$ from either end & it doesnt matter. Its what shes needed, & she isnt letting this one go
This is going to be epic.
Not to be pessimistic, but two words: PRE NUP!
I have a good feeling about this match. They have good body language. I wish them the best!
I’m happy for Mimi, my delusional Butterfly diva!
They both disgust me. Pointless excess.
Does anyone else find James Packer inexplicably hot? Like so ugly he’s actually hot? Kinda like Jay-Z? Anyone?
Wow with the exception of Anneooo up above y’all commenters reckon these two are the real deal. What the hell? This has the stench of showmance written all over it.
I live around the corner from Jamie Packer and he’s often spotted wandering along the coastal walk wearing threadbare tracky daks and holey Tshirts. He often looks pretty grubby and puffs away like a chimney. I also used to work with his ex wife Jodhi Meares and I’ve heard on the grapevine he’s a very libidinous man, swears a lot and likes nothing more than sitting round drinking beers and chewing the fat.
What do we know about Mariah? She’s a precious, delusional egomaniac who probably needs flattering lighting in every room and by all accounts doesn’t like sex very much. Hardly a match made in heaven.
This a showmance plain and simple.
Aww man. You’ve crushed my dreams @Snowpea. lol. I was honestly hopeful for her. I have a soft spot for Mimi.
I would kill for a ring like that lollll. It must be mesmerizing to look at.
who would have ever thought these two would pair up and actually get engaged?! Good luck – hope all the kids are ok with it. Packer’s kids have a superstar for a step mum…how cool!
How would their marriage work as far a living arrangements work. I doubt Nick will be okay will the kids living literally across the world. Or Johdi for that matter.
His kids’ mum’s name is Erica.
Every time I see a pic of her kids, for some reason I feel sorry for them. I imagine them always with nannies.
She is so full of herself, I doubt there is much left over for a man. Don’t see this lasting too many years. I think her personality would wear thin really quick.