Kerry Packer

Kerry Packer – Life, Empire, and Legacy

Explore the life of Kerry Packer (1937–2005), Australia’s media tycoon, gambler, and cricket revolutionist. From inheritance to empire-building, controversy to influence — a deep dive into his character, business moves, and quotations.

Introduction

Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer (17 December 1937 – 26 December 2005) was an Australian publishing, media, and gambling magnate. He is widely recognized as one of Australia’s most powerful media proprietors in the 20th century, whose influence extended beyond business into sport, culture, and public life.

Packer’s life story is a mix of familial legacy, bold business gambits, dramatic personal flair, and controversy. He inherited a media empire, expanded it aggressively, rewrote the rules in broadcasting and sport (especially through World Series Cricket), and became known for his high-stakes gambling and outspoken nature. This article traces his early years, rise to prominence, major decisions, personality, and enduring legacy.

Early Life and Family

Kerry Packer was born on 17 December 1937 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was the younger son of Sir Frank Packer, a prominent media proprietor, and Gretel Bullmore. His older brother was Clyde Packer.

From childhood, Kerry Packer faced significant health and educational challenges. At about eight years old, he contracted polio and spent nine months in an iron lung. This episode left him with a prolonged recovery and reportedly hindered his early schooling. He also is believed to have struggled academically (with possible dyslexia), and was at times harshly criticized by his father — reportedly being called “the family idiot” in his youth.

Despite that, by the time his father died in 1974, Packer was the one who inherited the helm of the family’s media assets — valued then at about AUD 100 million. His brother Clyde had a falling-out with their father earlier and left the business.

In his schooling years, Packer attended several prominent institutions, including Geelong Grammar, Cranbrook School, and Canberra Grammar. He engaged in sports like boxing, cricket, and rugby — though he was not primarily distinguished academically.

Rise to Power: Media, Business Strategy & Expansion

Taking over the Family Empire

When Sir Frank Packer died in May 1974, Kerry assumed control of the family’s media interests — including Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) (a major magazine & publishing house) and the Nine Network (television).

At that time, the Packer holdings were already established. His father had intended for Clyde to lead, but Clyde’s estrangement and departure cleared the path for Kerry.

Under Kerry’s leadership, the media company was later reorganized and consolidated into Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL).

Media Moves & “Deal of the Century”

One of the most dramatic business episodes in Packer’s career was his sale and repurchase of the Nine Network. In 1987, he sold the network to Alan Bond for reportedly A$1.2 billion. Then, as Bond’s empire fell, Packer bought back control of Nine in 1990 for approximately A$250 million — a stunning margin. He famously quipped, “You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime, and I've had mine.”

This transaction showcased both his willingness to take risks and his acumen in timing.

Beyond television and print, Packer’s investments included casinos (notably Crown Casino), real estate, mining, telecommunications, and agriculture. He also held large land holdings and engaged in resource speculation (e.g. a ruby deposit on one of his properties).

Disruption in Sport: World Series Cricket

Perhaps Packer’s most internationally visible legacy is his role in World Series Cricket (1977–1979).

He negotiated with the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for exclusive broadcast rights. When those negotiations failed, Packer launched his own cricket competition, recruiting international stars and breaking many of cricket’s traditional norms.

World Series Cricket introduced innovations like day/night matches, coloured clothing, improved player pay, and broadcasting techniques that reshaped how cricket was televised and consumed. After a settlement, Packer’s Nine Network obtained the rights to Australian Test cricket, and many of his innovations became standard in the sport.

Personality, Style & Controversies

Leadership Style & Persona

Kerry Packer is often portrayed as a forceful, intimidating leader. He once confessed, “I don’t know another way to manage people than through fear, to scare the shit out of them.” His dealings were sometimes blunt and confrontational.

He was also known as a hands-on proprietor — not shy about intervening in editorial or programming decisions. For instance, he reportedly once called his own station and ordered, “Get that shit off the air!” — when displeased with a TV segment.

He had a reputation for both loyalty and ruthlessness — loyal to those he trusted, but unforgiving toward opponents or perceived slights.

Gambling, Health & Private Life

Packer was infamous as a gambler. He placed massive wagers — both wins and losses became legendary. For example, over a three-day losing streak in London, he reportedly lost nearly A$28 million, a record at the time. He was also said to sometimes wager millions in Las Vegas casinos, and had tales about tossing coins to gamble large sums.

In 1990, Packer suffered a heart attack while playing polo and was clinically dead for about seven minutes before revival. After recovering, he donated funds to equip all ambulances in New South Wales with defibrillators.

He also battled kidney disease. In a notable act, his longtime helicopter pilot Nicholas Ross donated one of his kidneys to Packer — a highly publicized transplant.

On his death, Packer had instructed doctors not to prolong his life artificially; he died of kidney failure on 26 December 2005, at age 68. His funeral included both a private service and a state memorial at the Sydney Opera House.

In his personal life, Packer was married to Roslyn Packer from 1963 until his death. They had two children: Gretel and James Packer. He also had well-documented extramarital relationships, including with Julie Trethowan.

Controversies & Legal Issues

Packer was not free of public scrutiny. One notable episode was the Costigan Commission in the 1980s, which investigated allegations of tax evasion, organized crime, and underworld ties. Packer pushed back aggressively, and by 1987 the charges were formally dismissed.

He had a reputation for tax-minimization strategies, leading to disputes with regulatory authorities.

His cross-media dominance also triggered criticism around media diversity, conflicts of interest, and influence over editorial content.

A dramatic anecdote: in 1960, when his father sought to take over a small publisher, young Kerry — along with associates — reportedly vandalized the premises in an attempt to force a sale.

He was also implicated in “mysterious” thefts: in 1995, 25 gold bars and gold nuggets were stolen from his office safe; in 2003, a licensed 9mm pistol was taken from his desk drawer.

Famous Quotes

Here are a few memorable remarks attributed to Kerry Packer (or widely reported in association with him):

• “You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime, and I’ve had mine.” — after selling and later repurchasing the Nine Network.

• “I don’t know another way to manage people than through fear, to scare the shit out of them.” — his blunt assessment of leadership style.

• Reportedly said in a meeting with the Australian Cricket Board: “There is a little bit of the whore in all of us, gentlemen. What is your price?” — illustrating his provocative negotiating approach.

• He also once reportedly asked a rival in a poker situation: after the rival claimed to be worth a sum, Packer nonchalantly challenged, “Heads or tails?” — effectively wagering double.

These quotes reflect his confrontational style, love of risk, media-savvy bravado, and business aggression.

Legacy and Influence

Kerry Packer’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Media empire builder: Under his direction, PBL became a media powerhouse in Australia, spanning television, publishing, and broadcasting.

• Cricket revolutionizer: Through World Series Cricket, he challenged and modernized the sport’s structure, influencing global broadcasting, player compensation, and match formats.

• Cultural figure: Beyond business, Packer was a public personality whose flamboyant lifestyle, gambling exploits, and controversies made him a figure of fascination in Australia and abroad.

• Philanthropy and health: His donations (e.g. to ambulance defibrillators) and the kidney transplant story made headlines and opened public discussion on medical philanthropy.

• Enduring family influence: His children, especially James Packer, continued to play roles in media, investment, and public life in Australia.

• Memorial & foundation: After his death, the Kerry Packer Foundation was established (with an initial A$10 million endowment) to support disadvantaged cricketers in Australia. Also, his burial site on his estate was marked by plans for a bronze horse head sculpture.

While not without critics, Packer’s boldness in media, sport, and business left an indelible mark on Australian and international culture.

Lessons from Kerry Packer

1. Leverage inheritance—then expand aggressively. Packer inherited a strong base, but he did not rest on it. He challenged incumbents, restructured industries, and bet big.

2. Disruption can be a path to dominance. His creation of World Series Cricket shows how breaking norms, if timed well, can reshape entire industries.

3. Boldness & risk go hand in hand. His life was full of gambles—business, personal, financial—and he accepted both wins and catastrophic losses.

4. Personality matters. Packer’s public persona, charisma, and capacity for confrontation amplified his business impact (for better and worse).

5. Legacy is more than assets. His impact is judged not only by wealth but by how institutions evolved (media, sport) and how public life was shaped by his bold moves.

Conclusion

Kerry Packer’s life narrative is exceptional — from a childhood marred by polio and academic struggles to becoming arguably the most powerful media force in Australia. His tenure was defined by audacious business maneuvers, reinvention of sports media, intensity, controversy, and a flair for gambling.

Whether admired or criticized, Packer’s influence is deeply embedded in Australia’s cultural, sporting, and media history. His story illustrates how boldness, shrewdness, and a willingness to disrupt can build empires — and how a man’s personality can leave as deep a mark as his holdings.