James and Erica Packer out in public again - 29th March 2009
(Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

Having not been seen together in public for six months, reclusive billionaire James Packer and his glamorous wife Erica made a rare appearance at the Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday among a bevy of celebrities.

In their first few steps to resuming a normal, out-in-the-open life, the couple - sans seven-month-old baby Indigo - chatted briefly to Aussie F1 ace Mark Webber before heading upstairs to the exclusive VIP Paddock Club Suites from where they viewed the race, with Sir Richard Branson, Dannii Minogue and Grant Hackett also among the audience.

Erica, in a green leather jacket and black pants, wore a strangely similar black fedora to the one she donned when last photographed with her husband - at a Victor Chang charity event last September.

Packer has maintained a low public profile since the global financial meltdown slashed his personal fortune in half to a reported $1.54 billion.

Meanwhile, his missus was in court last month giving evidence against accused stalker Teresa Jagla, saying she was too scared to leave the house with her baby.

The Packers snuck in to Melbourne in January during the Australian Open but were more than happy to be seen yesterday.

Meanwhile spin king Shane Warne found himself an ideal viewing point from the Vodafone Pit lane suite, while Oscar-winning director George Miller, acting Prime Minister Julia Gilliard, actor Eric Bana and wife Rebecca, and Grant Denyer also turned out to watch the race.

Profiles

James Packer

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix