Erica Packer happy at last
The mother-of-three has finally found her fairytale ending
Giddy with excitement, an elated Erica Packer couldn’t contain her joy as she examined the diamond ring sparkling on her engagement finger.
And friends say the fairytale moment was captured on camera just after the 41-year-old agreed to marry her handsome American lover Enrique Martinez Celaya – in the shadow of Paris’ beautiful Eiffel Tower, no less.
“Erica and her man were absolutely ecstatic – they kept pausing in the street to kiss and smile at each other,” says an onlooker.
“People were actually watching them, which is saying something since couples get engaged in Paris all the time. It was lovely to see – they’re clearly head over heels for each other.”
WHIRLWIND ROMANCE
The romantic Parisian proposal comes just eight months after the pair started dating, with reports saying that they met “on the school run” in Erica’s adopted hometown of Los Angeles.
“It was love at first sight, and you can’t blame Erica for that – I mean, he’s one very good-looking guy!” says a close friend.
Erica, 41, was married to Aussie media mogul James Packer from 2007 to 2013. The couple moved from Australia to Hollywood so the billionaire could work more closely with his film production company, just before their six-year marriage came to an end.
The exes, who still have a close friendship and live a short distance from each other in Bel Air, share three children, Indigo, 10, Jackson, eight, and Emmanuelle, six.
CREATIVE SPIRIT
Erica’s new fiance is also a family man. The 54-year-old, who was born in Cuba and has lived in Spain and Puerto Rico before settling in the US, has four children of his own from a previous marriage.
Enrique describes himself as an artist, photographer and sculptor – and his creative spirit is said to be the reason why Erica fell for him.
“She was putty in his hands the second she heard his exotic accent,” says our source. “And when she found out he was so artistic, she was even more into him.”
While James, 51, is said to be happy for model Erica, friends say her most recent ex, 55-yearold singer Seal, wasn’t as thrilled to find out the news that she’s officially off the market.
“No one knows why Seal and Erica split, but it wasn’t particularly amicable,” spills an insider.
“Seeing her look so blissfully happy so soon into a relationship with a new guy must have cut him to the core somewhat.”
SWEET SURPRISE
It’s unlikely though that Erica would’ve even noticed any ill feeling surrounding her whirlwind romance.
“She has never been so delighted,” says the insider.
“She’s in a bubble of love with Enrique and wasn’t expecting his proposal at all, which makes the surprise even sweeter.”
‘It was love at first sight – he’s one very goodlooking guy!’