5.9k Share this
Sydney socialite Hollie Nasser – who started a relationship with her best friend’s husband – has told friends she is now ‘single’ and ‘looking forward to dating’.
Ms Nasser shocked the city’s eastern suburbs social clique in late 2021 when she announced she was dating investment banker Charlie Aitken, her best friend Ellie’s husband.
Complicating things further was the fact Mr Aitken was in business with Ms Nasser’s investor husband, Christopher.
But five months since the new couple went public, Daily Mail Australia has been told Ms Nasser is openly telling people she is ‘single’, signalling she is no longer in a relationship with Mr Aitken.
Since announcing she was single, Ms Nasser has been posting pictures to her social media accounts enjoying days at Randwick races and nights out with friends.
She did not respond to calls for comment on Friday.
All four parties in a high-society love split have now gone their separate ways, but are still intertwined as a result of their young children and the company they keep. Pictured dining at Eleven Madison Park in New York before the Covid pandemic
Now that all four parties have gone their separate ways, Daily Mail Australia reveals what each is up to now:
Hollie Nasser
Ms Nasser and Mr Aitken spent several months in a love bubble.
They were trying to take things slow, but intense public scrutiny of their relationship added a level of pressure they didn’t expect – or know how to handle.
They quietly parted ways earlier this year and are said to be disappointed in how everything played out.
Well-placed sources say Ms Nasser, a mother to two girls she shares with ex-husband Christopher Nasser, has been speaking openly about being single again.
Hollie has slowly started making appearances again on major events in the social calendar. She recently shared pictures from two events at Randwick Racecourse
Well placed sources say Hollie, a mother to two girls she shares with ex-husband Christopher, has been speaking openly about being single again
She reportedly confided in friends she was struggling with all the attention the relationship brought her.
‘She never wanted it,’ a friend said. ‘She just wanted to get back to being a mum.
‘Hollie really just wants to move on with her life.’
It’s understood she and her girls are hunkering down at their Paddington home with Covid this week.
Ms Nasser has slowly started making appearances again on major events in the social calendar. She recently shared pictures from two events at Randwick Racecourse.
‘She never wanted it,’ a friend said. ‘She just wanted to get back to being a mum. ‘Hollie really just wants to move on with her life’
Charlie Aitken
Despite trying to keep a low profile in the early days of their relationship, Mr Aitken and Ms Nasser were often seen making grand, public displays of affection.
Word of their split first made waves through their social circles in Sydney’s east, but they denied there was any trouble.
Now, Mr Aitken’s focus has again turned to his business, the Aitken Investment Management.
The company took a hit in the wake of Mr Aitken’s relationship woes, with Ms Nasser’s jilted estranged husband Christopher Nasser pulling a reported $7.5million from the fund and stepped off the board of AIM after five years as director and shareholder.
Major backer Kerry Stokes also sold his 19% stake.
Charlie later revealed AIM Global High Conviction Fund delivered a return of 3 per cent after fees in December, compared to a benchmark return of 1.7 per cent.
That means for the whole of 2021, AIM had a 31.1 per cent return after fees, ahead of a 29.3 per cent benchmark.
He’s also gone out of his way to mend his relationship with his estranged lawyer wife Ellie Aitken, and the pair are amicable for the sake of their children.
They shared a kiss before Mr Aitken held open the passenger side door for Ms Nasser
The Nassers and Aitkens were two of Sydney’s power couples before a scandalous love triangle tore them apart (pictured, Hollie and Christopher Nasser)
Ellie Aitken
While Ms Aitken’s life was flipped on its head in the wake of her marriage bust up, she appears to have seamlessly slipped back into what she does best.
Just last month she helped to organise an event for the Art Gallery of NSW celebrating women in art.
She also attended Justin Hemmes’ Silver Party on behalf of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ellie still holds a senior position with investment firm Pallas Capital after jumping ship from her estranged husband’s company in the wake of their split.
During the initial controversy, Ms Aitken snapped and released private conversations with Ms Nasser accusing her former friend of ‘bullying’, before whisking her family away for a holiday in Aspen.
She flew out of Sydney on December 15 for a quiet break to avoid the intense limelight of the public fallout of her 19 year marriage.
Just last month she helped to organise an event for the Art Gallery of NSW celebrating women in art
She also attended Justin Hemmes’ Silver Party on behalf of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
‘The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,’ she said in a statement released on her departure.
She announced she would be ‘taking a break from social media’ and public view while she and her family adjust to the separation and her estranged husband’s new relationship.
Ms Aitken is now in a much better place according to friends, and has been spending time with her ex for the sake of their two children.
‘People really admire how gracious she has been throughout this ordeal. She’s doing much better and definitely has her groove back,’ said a source.
Eight weeks ago, Ms Aitken shared a picture of her ex and their son supporting their daughter at a sailing competition.
Eight weeks ago, Ellie shared a picture of Charlie and their son supporting their daughter at a sailing competition
Christopher Nasser
Of all four parties, Christopher Nasser has kept the lowest profile.
Friends said he was ‘mortified’ that the breakdown of his marriage played out so publicly and sought comfort in his close network.
On top of the devastating split, Mr Nasser was hit with an AVO taken out by his ex and the matter appeared several times before the courts until it was eventually dropped.
Mr Nasser’s lawyer Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia he had argued with police that the AVO was ‘baseless’, and had been used ‘as a sword instead of a shield’ against a non-violent person.
Hollie also said that she, too, sought to have the AVO dropped.
The grounds for the order were allegations of ‘general intimidation behaviour’ during the marriage which foundered late last year.
Mr McGirr said that Mr Nasser had been ‘bewildered and shocked’ by the restraining order and ‘he now wants to move on with his life’.
Like Ms Aitken and Mr Aitken, Mr Nasser is co-parenting his daughters with his ex.
Of all four parties, Christopher Nasser has kept the lowest profile. Friends said he was ‘mortified’ that the breakdown of his marriage played out so publicly and sought comfort in his close networ
HIGH SOCIETY SPLIT – THE TIMELINE
September:
Ellie Aitken, a lawyer-turned fashion designer, joins an investment business Pallas, which is a rival to her husband’s company Aitken Investment Management
October 16 :
Ms Aitken posts a gushing birthday message to her friend Hollie Nasser, saying she is ‘so lucky to have you in my life.’
November 12:
It is publicly revealed the Aitken and Nasser marriages have both ended.
November 13:
Mr Nasser, who is Mr Aitken’s business partner at Aitken Investment Management, resigns from his position as director of the board and is replaced by his brother Damien.
Ms Aitken also steps down as an executive from the company during the same weekend.
Police days later take out an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order against Mr Nasser on behalf of his estranged wife.
November 27:
Mr Aitken confirms he is in a relationship with Ms Nasser.
‘I can confirm I am separated from Ellie Aitken and am in a relationship with Hollie Nasser,’ Aitken said.
‘My sole focus is my children and I’ll make no further comment.’
December 3:
Mr Nasser speaks out about the AVO and announces he plans to fight the allegations when the case goes to court on December 15.
Mr Aitken is photographed running errands with Ms Nasser and taking items into her home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Later that evening, Ms Aitken posts photos of her alongside Mr Aitken at their son’s Rugby awards night.
December 4:
It is revealed Ms Nasser’s car has reportedly been vandalised, with someone scratching the word ‘slut’ on one of the doors
December 5:
Ms Aitken leaks the heated messages between her and Ms Nasser as their friendship deteriorates .
Mr Aitken is later spotted at the family home, embroiled in a confrontation with Ellie as he picked up his clothes.
The Nassers are also spotted out together with their kids.
December 7:
Ellie Aitken reveals she will be ‘taking a break from social media’ as she copes with the fallout of her marriage breakdown.
‘The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,’ she said.
‘I had attempted to put on a brave face and tried to manage my feelings and wellbeing despite the fact that I have not had any control over the reasons for my sorrow.’
It is also revealed Mr Nasser withdrew up to $7.5million from Mr Aitken’s firm.
Mr Aitken and his wife Ellie had been long-time friends of the Nasser’s, and Mr Nasser was a director of the Aitken’s wealth management company
Source: DailyMail
