An eastern suburbs headline magnet is facing backlash over a tasteless social media post – and it’s just the latest in a string of controversies.
Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Montano, the wife of prominent financier Timothy Odillo Maher, shared a photo on her Instagram Stories on Saturday of a tent set up at a public park next to a pram.
While the circumstances are unclear, it’s possible they belonged to someone experiencing homelessness.
Victoria, 40, took a picture of the sad scene and posted it alongside the caption: ‘Waterfront living at Woolloomooloo.’
The socialite, who last year raised eyebrows for taking part in a ‘classless’ video bragging about her designer wardrobe, later deleted the post.
However, the Mail understands it was screenshotted and shared around group chats, with society tattlers outraged by her apparent disregard for those less fortunate.
Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Montano, the wife of prominent financier Timothy Odillo Maher, shared a photo on Instagram on Saturday of a tent at a public park next to a pram
It’s possible the tent and pram belonged to someone experiencing homelessness. Victoria, 40, took a picture of the scene and wrote, ‘Waterfront living at Woolloomooloo’
‘It’s so tone-deaf,’ said a source.
But anyone hoping for an apology shouldn’t hold their breath.
On Monday, Victoria uploaded yet another tone-deaf post – this time bragging about her lavish lifestyle in Sydney’s east.
The mother of two shared a video of her daughter practising the cello inside their harbourside mansion in Darling Point.
‘When your life is hard but you can’t tell people because they will judge you,’ the reality star wrote.
Victoria is no stranger to showing off 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.
In one image, she put on a leggy display in a $2,200 polka-dot Patou dress, which she paired with a bright yellow Hermès Kelly clutch, worth about $11,800.
She then modelled a $3,500 Dior blouse, as well as several Dolce & Gabbana ensembles totalling nearly $17,000.
On Monday, Victoria uploaded yet another tone-deaf post – this time bragging about her lavish lifestyle: ‘When your life is hard but you can’t tell people because they will judge you’
She also highlighted her array of Hermès bags, which the socialite is known to collect.
In one picture, she toted a green mini Kelly, which retails for a whopping $29,000, and in another she wore a brown Kelly which can cost up to $28,000.
‘South of France done for another year – always my absolute fave,’ she bragged in the post’s caption.
‘Seven slides, a selection of LEWKS unfortunately only on the days my chief photographer Tim wasn’t too jet-lagged to crouch down and get the good angles!’
‘Which one is your fave?’ she asked her 32,800 followers.
Victoria and her fellow Real Housewives of Sydney castmates came under fire in June last year after their cringeworthy display of wealth went viral in a social media clip.
In the footage, Victoria and RHOS stars Krissy Marsh, Victoria Rees and Matty Samaei were seen flaunting their lavish – and very pricey – designer outfits.
‘Back door fashion, I’m wearing Nookie,’ Krissy boasted, as she showcased her plunging cream mini dress from the label.
In July last year, Victoria 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
Victoria and her fellow Real Housewives of Sydney castmates came under fire in June last year after their cringe display of wealth went viral. (Pictured with Matty Samaei and Krissy Marsh)
‘I’m in (Victoria) Beckham and Zadig & Voltaire,’ Victoria Rees chimed in while parading around in a fiery red blazer paired with a black shirt and jeans.
Matty also showcased her leopard-print dress, but it was Victoria’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 on social media.
‘If you have to name your labels, you’re classless,’ one critic sniped.
‘What’s with the comment “Montano money”? Ridiculous,’ a second added.
‘Look so cheap for rich girls,’ another wrote, as a fourth asked: ‘Why behave like that?’
When she’s not outraging the public with her tone-deaf Instagram posts, Victoria is also making headlines for her feuds with her RHOS co-stars.
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 Victoria at the birthday party)
In March last year, a fiery row between Victoria and 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 Victoria’s husband Timothy confronted Terry 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 from 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.
Victoria also previously fell out with fellow Housewife and former BFF Martine Chippendale.
The two women, who live on the same street in ritzy Darling Point, used to be inseparable but sources previously revealed they were no longer speaking.
Victoria has also made headlines for her falling out with fellow RHOS star Martine Chippendale
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 more headaches than delight amongst producers.
In another twist to their bust-up, it was revealed early last year that Victoria was pulling strings and calling in favours to get Martine a spot on the reality show.
The feud is said to have begun when Victoria discovered Martine had been gossiping about her to the other Real Housewives stars.
