Mistress

What is it that drives a man to risk everything for a mistress? And why do the women do it? It is a world of scorned wives, rich men and lonely women chasing a fantasy while making do with the crumbs that spill from the table. Mention 'mistress' and the classically minded might think 'paramour', 'concubine' or even 'inamorata'. The rest of us most likely think 'floozy', 'kept woman' or 'bit on the side'. Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man, had a string of mistresses. Model Carol Lopes killed herself when he dumped her. Ita Buttrose refuses to discuss their 'friendship'. Packer was a serial philanderer and only moved home to his wife Roz from the flat of his mistress, gym owner Julie Trethowan, the day before he died. Australia's politicians love a mistress. Bob Hawke had a prolonged love affair with his biographer Blanche d'Alpuget before finally casting aside loyal wife Hazel. Former Liberal leader Sir Billy Snedden died on the job in a Sydney motel room with his lover. He was found wearing only a condom. His lover called his son, Drew, to break the sad news, which was awkward because he was her ex. Post-war Labor hero Ben Chifley also died in a hotel room with his secretary and mistress Phyllis Donnelly - not his wife Elizabeth. It emerged later that Chifley had also been conducting a love affair with Phyllis's sister Nell. Today's politicians are no better.