James Packer enjoys day out on his $200M yacht as he talks mental health battle and weight loss

Media mogul and billionaire Casino magnate James Packer has lifted the lid on his incredibly private personal life.

In a new interview, Packer spoke candidly about his battle with mental health and his determination to overhaul his lifestyle. 

The 54-year-old, who is holidaying with his Hollywood star friends on his $200M superyacht in Italy, admitted this week that he’s feeling the best he’s felt in a longtime thanks to cutting out the booze and losing an impressive 33kg.

But the media personality admitted that things are not just looking up in his personal life, but also in terms of his business prospects, revealing he’s building a new $US500million ($727million AUD) Nobu resort in Barbuda with actor pal Robert De Niro, 78.

It comes as James was spotted on Friday enjoying a swim with friends on his superyacht in the idyllic Portofino, with his boat being named the IJE. 

Packer appeared relaxed in the new photographs, going shirtless and taking a dip in a pair of colourful boardshorts.  

Packer lapped up the sun with friends and could be seen climbing down a ladder from his boat straight into the sea. 

A man, who appeared to be a staffer on his yacht, was waiting for Packer to get out the of the water before wrapping a navy towel around him. 

Packer’s IJE yacht was designed by Italian ship building company Benetti and can accommodate up to 22 guests overnight in 11 cabins. 

But the media personality admitted that things are not just looking up in his personal life, but also in terms of his business prospects, revealing he’s building a new $US500million ($727million AUD) Nobu resort in Barbuda with actor pal Robert De Niro, 78

Packer appeared relaxed in the new photographs, going shirtless and taking a dip in a pair of colourful boardshorts

Packer’s IJE yacht was designed by Italian ship building company Benetti and can accommodate up to 22 guests overnight in 11 cabins

The lavish yacht has a crew of 29 and boasts an outdoor bar, a gym, a beauty salon, a helipad, a cinema, a fire pit, a swimming pool and a dance floor

IJE stands for the initials of Packer’s three children: Indigo, Jackson, and Emmanuelle.

The lavish yacht has a crew of 29 and boasts an outdoor bar, a gym, a beauty salon, a helipad, a cinema, a fire pit, a swimming pool and a dance floor.

It has a maximum speed of 18.5knots and was lauded as the ‘flagship’ for Benetti following the launch in 2018 and its delivery in 2019.

IJE stands for the initials of Packer’s three children: Indigo, Jackson, and Emmanuelle

Packer lapped up the sun with friends and could be seen climbing down a ladder from his boat straight into the sea

A man, who appeared to be a staffer on his yacht, was waiting for Packer to get out the of the water before wrapping a navy towel around him

On Friday, he was also seen going for a walk on shore with his friends and entourage, before playing some sport

On Friday, he was also seen going for a walk on shore with his friends and entourage, before playing some sport. 

Packer, who recently had Robert De Niro and newlyweds Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz on board his superyacht, told The Sydney Morning Herald’s Private Sydney on Friday that he’s in the best headspace he’s ever been in. 

‘I’m feeling really well and happy,’ Packer told the publication, adding: ‘My mental health is the best it’s ever been.’

James said he’s lost an impressive 33kg thanks to diet and exercise and cutting the booze since April. 

‘I got off all my antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs in March,’ he told The Weekend Australian earlier this year, from his home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

‘In 10 years, and hopefully before then, I hope to have rehabilitated my reputation in Australia and elsewhere.’ 

Packer had been prescribed medication to deal with his mental health challenges including bipolar disorder. 

Packer, who recently had Robert De Niro and newlyweds Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz on board his superyacht, told The Sydney Morning Herald’s Private Sydney on Friday that he’s in the best headspace he’s ever been in

‘I’m feeling really well and happy,’ Packer told the publication, adding: ‘My mental health is the best it’s ever been’

James said he’s lost an impressive 33kg thanks to diet and exercise and cutting the booze since April

He confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that he and Robert De Niro, who he affectionately calls ‘Bob,’ are planning on building a new Nobu resort in Barbuda in the Caribbean

He confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald this week that he and Robert De Niro, who he affectionately calls ‘Bob,’ are planning on building a new Nobu resort in Barbuda in the Caribbean.

In 2015, they purchased the old resort the K Club in Barbuda. 

Packer also called The Godfather star De Niro a ‘living legend’.

In 2015, they purchased the old resort the K Club in Barbuda. Packer also called The Godfather star De Niro a ‘living legend’

‘We are going to build something unique and beautiful, and I believe Barbuda will also prove to be an excellent commercial development. I love being in business with Bob.’ 

As the publication reports, Packer previously invested $US100million into De Niro’s Nobu restaurant chain.

De Niro was seen onboard Packer’s yacht in Sardinia earlier this week. 

‘We are going to build something unique and beautiful, and I believe Barbuda will also prove to be an excellent commercial development. I love being in business with Bob,’ Packer said

De Niro and Packer have been friends and business partners for years.

They first crossed paths around 2012 after Packer launched his film financing company RatPac with movie director Brett Ratner.

Packer’s foray into Hollywood’s elite circle saw him rub shoulders with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, and of course, De Niro.

Packer’s foray into Hollywood’s elite circle saw him rub shoulders with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, and of course, De Niro

In 2013, Packer helped bankroll a premium vodka co-created by De Niro, pumping $10 million into the brand to help launch the product globally

In 2013, Packer helped bankroll a premium vodka co-created by De Niro, pumping $10 million into the brand to help launch the product globally.

Packer sold Crown to private investment company Blackstone for $8.9billion in a deal that was finalised in June, with the businessman pocketing $3.3billion. 

The sale marked the end of a major chapter in his life which at times was mired by controversy amid inquiries into the company and allegations of money laundering.

Despite the investigations, the billionaire credited his casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney for changing the cities ‘for the better’.

The father-of-three said he is now excited to begin his ‘third act’ and plans to ease back into public life in Australia.

Packer sold Crown to private investment company Blackstone for $8.9billion in a deal that was finalised in June, with the businessman pocketing $3.3billion