Sydney funds manager Charlie Aitken has taken a solo Christmas Eve stroll along Bondi Beach days after his estranged wife flew to a US ski resort for the holidays.
Sporting a blue collared shirt, light blue shorts and runners, Mr Aitken appeared locked in thought on Friday as he contemplated a Christmas away from his family.
His estranged wife Ellie Aitken has opted to spend the festive season on the ski fields of Aspen in Colorado with their two children.
The high society eastern suburbs couple’s split after 19 years of marriage made headlines after Mr Aitken admitted he is now dating his ex-wife’s former best friend, Hollie Nasser.
Sydney funds manager Charlie Aitken was spotted looking downcast as he went for a stroll on Bondi Beach on Christmas Eve
Sporting a blue collared shirt, light blue shorts and runners, Mr Aitken looked locked in thought as he contemplates a Christmas separated from his family
The end of the Aitken marriage – after Charlie left his wife Ellie to start a relationship with her best former friend Hollie Nasser – has set tongues wagging across Sydney’s social circuit
The love triangle: Left to right, former friends Christopher and Hollie Nasser with Ellie and Charlie Aitken
Ms Nasser was also married to Mr Aitken’s business partner and longtime investor, Christopher Nasser.
In a city that loves gossip, the Aitken/Nasser entanglement meant their profiles were in the spotlight whether they wanted it or not.
Ms Aitkens flew out of Sydney on December 15 for a quiet break in the Rocky Mountains, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
She will be glad of the chance to avoid the limelight in a small town where nobody knows her – and any photographers there are far more interested in the Hollywood elite who also flock to Aspen.
Ms Aitken released an emotional statement before she flew out, admitting she was not coping with the public fallout of her relationship 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.
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.
‘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.’
Ellie Aitken (pictured left) and her now ex-husband Charlie Aitken (pictured right) in happier times
Ellie Aitken has fled from Sydney to the ski town of Aspen, Colorado, for Christmas after her marriage fell apart
Ellie and Charlie briefly put their differences aside and smiled for the camera with their son at his rugby team’s recent awards day.
She posted the photographs on Instagram just hours after pictures confirmed her investment banker husband of 19 years had set up home with his new love and her former best friend, Hollie Nasser, 36.
Ms Aitken claimed she was ‘pushed to [her] limit’, resulting in a rogue Instagram post calling out Ms Nasser.
In a post before taking a break from social media, Ms Aitken accused her former friend of ‘bullying’ her and exposed a series of texts between the two women.
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Charlie Aitken (pictured left) and his estranged wife Ellie (pictured right) put on a brave face at their son’s (pictured front) rugby awards day
Ms Aitken shared a private text message she had received from Ms Nasser to Instagram accusing her of ‘playing the victim’ and blaming her for ‘ruining her marriage’.
‘Ellie there’s no point in us talking anymore,’ Ms Nasser’s message begins.
‘I can’t believe after… you are out there playing the victim and saying I ruined your perfect marriage.’
While Ellie is in Aspen, her former husband Charlie is said to have moved back into the family home in North Bondi – at least until his estranged wife and their children return.
In the last few weeks, he has been doing it tough in a serviced apartment above Bondi Junction’s noisy bus interchange.
He will have Scout, the family labrador, for company though, now that he’s back home for the time being.