Just weeks after quietly listing their $9,000-a-week Darling Point mansion for rent, Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Montano and her financier husband Timothy Odillo Maher are preparing to leave their glamorous harbourside life behind.
The couple are relocating to Switzerland with their children, giving their eldest son, Xavier Maher, the chance to chase his Olympic Alpine skiing ambitions while attending school in one of the world’s top ski regions.
The move signals the end of a headline-grabbing era for Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where Montano was known as much for her extravagant lifestyle as for her often controversial presence on social media.
Montano’s close friend Jennifer Tomsic confirmed the impending departure late last month, sharing a photo of the pair in matching blue outfits from Victoria’s fashion label, Sport Luxe.
‘Farewelling one of my best friends @victoriaelizabethmontano and you turn up to her house in @theofficialsportluxe because you’re obsessed with the brand and you accidentally twin,’ Tomsic wrote.
Montano also hinted at the major life change on Saturday, posting a video of herself sipping cocktails in the snow while announcing a clearance sale for her fashion label.
Weeks after listing their $9,000-a-week Darling Point mansion for rent, Victoria Montano and her financier husband Timothy Odillo Maher are packing up their harbourside life for good
The couple are moving to Switzerland to give their eldest son, Xavier, the chance to chase his Olympic Alpine skiing ambitions while attending school in one of the world’s top ski regions
Montano’s close friend Jennifer Tomsic confirmed the impending departure late last month, sharing a photo of the pair in matching blue outfits along with a farewell message
‘@theofficialsportluxe is relocating and the biggest sale ever is officially ON with final pieces across winter, tennis and equestrian – 70% off,’ she announced.
While the move is centred around giving their children – particularly Xavier – the best opportunities, it comes after a tumultuous period for the high-profile couple.
Their move comes after months of rumours about their luxury lifestyle, triggered by a Daily Mail report revealing their six-bedroom Darling Point mansion had hit the rental market at a staggering $9,000 a week.
With harbour views, a swimming pool and designer interiors, the listing quickly fuelled speculation that the family was planning a permanent move abroad rather than just an extended holiday.
For most people, renting out your home during an overseas stint is perfectly normal – even prudent.
But in elite postcodes, the notion of taking in a temporary lodger is considered deeply gauche.
The home became available from July 1, with a bond set at an eye-watering $44,000.
It was initially listed for about $11,000 per week, before the asking price was reduced to $10,000.
Montano is pictured with husband Tim Odillo Maher and their two children, daughter Lila, six, and son Xavier, 13
Their decision follows months of whispers about their extravagant lifestyle after we revealed they had listed their sprawling six-bedroom Darling Point mansion on the rental market for a staggering $9,000 a week. (Pictured: inside Montano and Odillo Maher’s home)
It was initially listed at about $11,000 per week before the asking price was reduced to $10,000. The price drop has not gone unnoticed, with some questioning in catty group chats whether Montano’s famously extravagant spending habits are beginning to bite financially
The price cut didn’t escape attention, with whispers in catty group chats questioning whether Montano’s lavish way of life was finally catching up with her.
‘People joke that her husband practically gasps every time she swipes the black card at Hermès,’ one insider said.
‘No one has someone sleeping in their bed and fondling their belongings if they’re flush with cash,’ added another well-connected source.
While we are not suggesting that Montano is facing financial difficulty, it is possible that the substantial cost of lengthy European travel – along with a penchant for designer shopping – could, over time, amount to a significant expense.
Indeed, Montano is no stranger to showcasing her life of excess on social media.
In July last year, she raised eyebrows by sharing photos of her expensive wardrobe, believed to be worth around $100,000, while on a family trip to St Tropez.
Montano and her fellow Real Housewives of Sydney castmates also came under fire in June last year, after a social media video showcasing their cringeworthy excess went viral.
In the footage, Montano and RHOS stars Krissy Marsh, Victoria Rees and Matty Samaei were seen flaunting their lavish designer outfits.
In July last year, Montano raised eyebrows by sharing photos of her extremely expensive wardrobe, believed to be worth around $100,000, while on a family trip to St Tropez
Montano and her Real Housewives of Sydney castmates came under fire in June last year after their cringeworthy display of wealth went viral. (Pictured with Matty Samaei and Krissy Marsh)
‘Back door fashion, I’m wearing Nookie,’ Marsh boasted, as she showcased her plunging cream mini dress from the label.
‘I’m in [Victoria] Beckham and Zadig & Voltaire,’ Rees chimed in while parading around in a fiery red blazer paired with a black shirt and jeans.
Samaei also showcased her leopard print dress, but it was Montano’s contribution that caused the most anger.
‘Dior, Valentino and a Hermès bag! It’s called Montano money,’ she cooed as she strutted around in a pair of denim shorts, a bralette, silky shirt and stilettos.
The ostentatious display of wealth was roundly criticised online.
‘If you have to name your labels, you’re classless,’ one critic sniped.
‘What’s with the comment “Montano money”? Ridiculous,’ another added.
‘Look so cheap for rich girls,’ another wrote, as a fourth asked: ‘Why behave like that?’
Montano was recently criticised after sharing a series of videos from Newtown in which she recoiled at the inner-west suburb, joking that she feared for her safety
Montano claimed she was threatened by another moviegoer while watching a film with her husband at Dendy Cinemas on King St after she looked at her phone during the advertisements
The experience left Montano so rattled that she decided not to eat dinner in Newtown. Instead, she purchased takeaway dumplings to eat in the safety of her Darling Point mansion
The family’s relocation also comes after Montano found herself at the centre of several controversies that divided Sydney’s social set.
Montano was recently criticised after sharing a series of videos from Newtown in which she recoiled at the inner-west suburb, joking that she feared for her safety.
Montano claimed she was threatened by another moviegoer while watching a film with her husband at Dendy Cinemas on King Street after she looked at her phone during the advertisements.
Speaking on Instagram afterwards, she joked that she was ready to defend herself with a ‘fly kick’ and teased that the other man backed down.
She later shared videos of the couple walking through Newtown, saying the incident left her so shaken they skipped dining locally and instead took dumplings home to eat in ‘safety’ at their Darling Point mansion.
The posts attracted criticism online, with many branding her comments about Newtown, where the median house price is $1.94million, as tone-deaf.
It came months after Montano faced backlash over a tasteless social media post poking fun at Sydney’s ‘have-nots’.
Earlier this year, she posted a photo of a tent and pram in Woolloomooloo alongside the caption ‘waterfront living’, in a post many interpreted as mocking people experiencing homelessness.
In March last year, a fiery row between Montano and fellow RHOS star Terry Biviano (left) broke out at a star-studded birthday party hosted by socialite Elaine Kwan
The situation escalated far more quickly than anyone could have expected – to the point where shocked guests could hear wild accusations being yelled from across the room. (Pictured from left to right: Ellie Aitken, Elaine Kwan and Montano at the birthday party)
Montano also made headlines for her falling out with fellow RHOS star Martine Chippendale
She later deleted the Instagram Story, but screenshots circulated widely, with critics accusing her of being insensitive and out of touch.
When she’s not outraging the public with her Instagram posts, Montano is also making headlines for her feuds with her RHOS co-stars.
In March last year, a fiery row between Montano and fellow housewife Terry Biviano broke out at a star-studded birthday party hosted by socialite Elaine Kwan, with guests including Ellie Aitken and Alina Barlow, the daughter of Russian billionaire and former Sydney FC owner David Traktovenko.
The argument began when Montano’s husband confronted Biviano for allegedly gossiping about other people’s marriages and lifestyles.
The situation escalated to the point where shocked guests could hear wild accusations being yelled across the room.
The party incident caused a huge rift between the two women – who are reportedly no longer on speaking terms and no longer follow each other on social media.
Montano also previously fell out with fellow Housewife and former BFF Martine Chippendale.
The two women, who live on the same street in Darling Point, used to be inseparable but sources previously revealed they were no longer speaking.
So intense is their rift, both women are said to have pulled out of events at the last minute to avoid bumping into each other, leading to all manner of mysterious ‘scheduling conflicts’.
While bitter rivalries are par for the course on the Foxtel series, this one allegedly caused headaches among producers.
In another twist to their bust-up, it was revealed early last year that Montano was pulling strings and calling in favours to get Martine a spot on the reality show.
The feud is said to have begun when Montano discovered Chippendale had been gossiping about her to the other Real Housewives stars.
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