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A flashy eastern suburbs socialite and TV star is raising eyebrows among the Sydney society set after her Darling Point mansion was discreetly listed for rent.
For most mortals, renting out or subletting one's home during an extended overseas holiday is not only commonplace but sensible. In more exclusive postcodes, however, the very notion of taking in a temporary lodger is considered deeply gauche.
Which is why The Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Montano, 40, is the talk of town after she and her finance executive husband Tim Odillo Maher seemed so willing to hand over the keys to their trophy home to strangers.
Fresh from her recent jaunt to the Monaco Grand Prix, Montano and Odillo Maher are said to be planning another lavish European getaway for next month.
A rental listing is being feverishly shared among high society gossips after it was posted online with little explanation, with the property described as a 'grand Italianate villa with harbour views and separate studio'.
The family home features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and parking for two cars, along with multiple living and entertaining zones.
Victoria Montano, 40, is the talk of the east after she and her finance executive husband Tim Odillo Maher seemed so willing to hand over the keys to their trophy home to strangers
Montano is pictured with husband Tim Odillo Maher and their two children, daughter Lila, six, and son Xavier, 12
It also includes a gym and wine cellar, as well as a European-inspired courtyard and landscaped gardens.
The home is available from July 1, with a bond set at an eye-watering $44,000.
It was initially listed for about $11,000 per week, before the asking price was quietly reduced to $10,000. It turns out there is an upper limit for eastern suburbs rent.
The price drop has not gone unnoticed, with some questioning in catty group chats whether Montano's famously extravagant lifestyle is beginning to bite financially.
'People joke that her husband practically gasps every time she swipes the black card at Hermès,' one insider howled.
'No one has someone sleeping in their bed and fondling their belongings if they're flush with cash,' added another well-connected source.
While we are not suggesting that Montano is facing financial difficulty, it is possible that the substantial cost of extended European travel - and a penchant for designer shopping - could, over time, amount to a significant expense.
Indeed, Montano 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.
For most mortals, renting out or subletting one's home during an extended overseas holiday is not only commonplace but sensible. But in elite postcodes, the notion of taking in a temporary lodger is considered deeply gauche. (Pictured: inside Montano and Odillo Maher's home)
It was initially listed at about $11,000 per week before the asking price was quietly reduced to $10,000. The price drop has not gone unnoticed, with some questioning in catty group chats whether Montano's famously extravagant lifestyle is beginning to bite financially
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.
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.
Montano and her fellow Real Housewives of Sydney castmates came under fire in June last year, after a social media video showcasing their cringeworthy excess went viral.
In July last year, Montano 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
Montano and her Real Housewives of Sydney castmates came under fire in June last year after their cringeworthy display of wealth went viral. (Pictured with Matty Samaei and Krissy Marsh)
In the footage, Montano 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,' Marsh boasted, as she showcased her plunging cream mini dress from the label.
'I'm in [Victoria] Beckham and Zadig & Voltaire,' Rees chimed in while parading around in a fiery red blazer paired with a black shirt and jeans.
Samaei also showcased her leopard-print dress, but it was Montano'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 online.
'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?'
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 Montano at the birthday party)
When she's not outraging the public with her tone-deaf Instagram posts, Montano is also making headlines for her feuds with her RHOS co-stars.
In March last year, a fiery row between Montano 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 Montano's husband confronted Biviano 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.
Montano also previously fell out with fellow Housewife and former BFF Martine Chippendale.
The two women, who live on the same street in Darling Point, used to be inseparable but sources previously revealed they were no longer speaking.
Montano has 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 among producers.
In another twist to their bust-up, it was revealed early last year that Montano was pulling strings and calling in favours to get Chippendale a spot on the reality show.
The feud is said to have begun when Montano discovered Chippendale had been gossiping about her to the other Real Housewives stars.
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