It all started with a curious profile in the Australian Financial Review.
The article, about 42-year-old Swede Gabriel Jakob, described how the ultra-private businessman had 'quietly' made $550million through the companies he
'founded', including haircare brand BondiBoost and daycare centre chain Little Learning School.
But instead of showing Mr Jakob – described as 'one of the most active Australian entrepreneurs you've never heard of' – smiling confidently with his arms spread across a boardroom, the accompanying image concealed his face entirely. Readers were left with little more than a silhouette.
The unusual piece was published in August 2024. Try to read it now and you will find an editor's note: 'Clarification: This article has been amended for information that came to light after publication.'
Gabriel Jakob's ex-wife Alexandra Jakob, who considered herself the brains behind BondiBoost and Little Learning School, hit the roof when she saw the piece, launching civil proceedings against her former husband in the Federal Court, accusing him of trying to take credit for her entrepreneurial success, which he vehemently denied.
For Alexandra, who grew up in poverty and dropped out of school in Year 10, the AFR profile tipped her over the edge and she wanted to set the record straight.
However, the dispute between the Jakobs didn't stop with civil proceedings. Gabriel escalated their feud by making criminal complaints against his former wife.
In the latest chapter of the saga, the criminal matter came to an end at Sydney's Downing Centre court on Friday morning, with all charges against Alexandra being withdrawn. However, a 12-month ADVO protecting Mr Jakob was made by consent.
The elusive Swedish businessman Gabriel Jakob married BondiBoost founder Alexandra Jakob in 2017. The former couple separated in May 2023 and divorced a year later
Alexandra Jakob is now married to former male escort Michael Burn (pictured in April this year)
In a former life, Mr Burn (right) was a male escort who ran the 'Jake Ryan' agency with his former partner of nine years, Geoffrey Williams (left)
Ms Jakob had been charged with two counts of common assault, two of intimidation, and one of entering a building to commit intimidation. The charges dated back to 2023 when the Jakobs' marriage was falling apart.
Ms Jakob, who was supported at court by her new husband throughout the proceedings, told the Daily Mail in a statement after the charges were withdrawn: 'I'd like to thank my husband Michael, my children, family, friends and legal teams for their incredible support during this very difficult chapter in my life.
'While the untrue allegations made by my ex-husband have been deeply hurtful, I am proud that I found the strength to stand up for myself.
'I hope that my situation can inspire other women to stand up for themselves also.
'The next chapter of my life will be dedicated to helping the next generation of women - particularly those that have come from difficult situations, just as I have.'
Proving the acrimony is far from over, Gabriel Jakob also issued a statement to the Mail via his crisis PR manager, in which he made it clear he got what he wanted: court-ordered protection.
'Gabriel Jakob welcomes court orders issued today after his former partner, Alexandra Burn, agreed to an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) in his favour,' said his spokesman.
'The orders represent a significant outcome for Mr Jakob, providing him protection in Australia and prohibiting Mrs Burn from: contacting or approaching Mr Jakob in any way, subject to the conditions of the order; assaulting, threatening or intimidating Mr Jakob; stalking, harassing or intimidating Mr Jakob; or intentionally or recklessly damaging or destroying any property or animal belonging to Mr Jakob.'
Ms Jakob told the Daily Mail in a statement after the charges against her were withdrawn: 'I hope that my situation can inspire other women to stand up for themselves... The next chapter of my life will be dedicated to helping the next generation of women - particularly those that have come from difficult situations, just as I have'
The Jakobs own adjoining properties on Wolseley Road, Point Piper. Ms Jakob owns the mansion on the left, while Mr Jakob owns the one in the middle and the adjacent vacant block
The Daily Mail acknowledges these are standard AVO conditions and it is not suggested that Ms Jakob has done any of these things.
'The AVO will be in force for a period of 12 months from 6 November,' added Mr Jakob's representative.
'The outcome follows previous court proceedings involving Mrs Burn's current partner, Michael Burn, who pleaded guilty to intimidation in separate proceedings that also resulted in an AVO being granted in Mr. Jakob's favour.'
In March, Mr Burn did indeed plead guilty to a charge which was dealt with under Section 10(1)(a), meaning the court found the offence proven but did not record a conviction. At the time, two other intimidation-related charges against Mr Burn were withdrawn after he pleaded not guilty.
'The AVO against Mrs Burn is an important step in securing Mr Jakob's personal safety and bringing this chapter to a close,' Mr Jakob's spokesman went on to say.
'Mr Jakob is looking forward to putting the events leading to the AVO behind him and to moving forward with his life. He encourages Mr and Mrs Burn to do the same.
'The granting of the AVO means Mr Jakob is no longer required to attend Court to give evidence against Mrs Burn, and he looks forward to redirecting his full attention to his significant business interests, professional commitments and charitable work.'
When asked about claims aired in court by Ms Jakob's barrister AJ Karim that Mr Jakob had called his ex-wife a 'filthy Muslim dog' and subjected her to 'a pattern of coercive control... to the point she had a curfew of 10.30pm', Mr Jakob strongly denied the allegations.
'Allegations previously made in Court by Ms Burn's barrister while Mr Jakob was not present in Court to defend himself are untested and Mr Jakob completely rejects them,' said his representative.
'The seriousness of the charges is demonstrated by her conceding to a lengthy AVO in favour of Mr Jakob.'
Mr Burn and Ms Jakob supported each other during various court appearances
The happy couple appeared to be in good spirits outside court in April
While the criminal charges are resolved, the outcome of the civil matter is yet to be disclosed – though the aforementioned clarification on the AFR article suggests that some agreement may have been recently reached.
Mr Jakob's spokesman said: 'Separate civil proceedings between Mr Jakob and Ms Burn have settled. The terms of the settlement are confidential, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
The legal war between the Jakobs spiralled into an extraordinary tabloid saga over the last year, with the sparring exes being featured on Nine's A Current Affair not once, but twice.
In some ways, the serious charges and civil lawsuit were an afterthought. Viewers were far more interested in Alexandra's choice of new partner, as well as the Jakobs' baffling living arrangements after their break-up.
Following the end of the marriage, Ms Jakob began dating Michael Burn, a bisexual former male escort originally from the UK.
Together with his former partner of nine years Geoffrey Williams, Mr Burn had run the high-end Jake Ryan escort agency, servicing male clients.
Ms Jakob's alleged response to learning of her new lover's sexual history, and her desire to know whether Mr Burn had been the initiator (top) or the receiver (bottom) during his former sex life, was aired in open court months ago.
However, whatever misgivings Ms Jakob may have had about her lover's past appear to have been resolved: Mr Burn stood by her at every court hearing, had Alexandra's name tattooed on his chest, proposed in September 2024, a year after they met at Totti's in Bondi, and earlier this year the pair married overseas before honeymooning in the Maldives.
The fiercely private Mr Jakob is now dating self-described 'virtual stylist' Anjelica Margaritis (right), who shares selfies of the pair online, often with him turning his face from the camera
Ms Jakob appears to be embracing a fresh start. Having emerged spotless from the criminal proceedings, she is settling into married life and embarking on a new business venture with her husband, no doubt hoping to avoid the mistakes of the past
Mr Burn, who hails from the UK, is pictured in his former life as a male escort
Meanwhile, in a remarkable twist, the former Mr and Mrs Jakob remained neighbours on one of Australia's most expensive streets long after their relationship had descended into bitter litigation.
While they were married, Ms Jakob and Mr Jakob bought three neighbouring Wolseley Road blocks for $99.5million on which they planned to build what might have been Australia's most expensive home.
Following their divorce, Ms Jakob remained in 50 Wolseley Road (bought for $40million) while Mr Jakob kept 42a Wolseley Road ($32.5million), which he moved into, as well as a vacant block of land at No. 42 ($27million).
The middle property occupied by Mr Jakob was bought from former Seven Network commercial director Bruce McWilliam, and the empty site was once owned by developer-turned-murderer Ron Medich.
Ms Jakob listed 50 Wolseley Road for sale in September 2024 with an asking price of $100million, later knocking back a $60million bid. It is understood she vacated the three-level mansion to avoid potential conflict with her ex-husband. The Daily Mail understands Mr Jakob is still residing at No. 42a.
In another sideshow to the criminal charges and civil claim, Burn had sought an AVO against his ex Mr Williams, in response to a complaint Mr Williams had made to police about Ms Jakob allegedly threatening him.
Ms Jakob denied making threats during a September 2024 phone call – and a court heard in April that a recording said to prove Mr Williams' claim did not exist.
As for Gabriel Jakob's life today, the Mail understands he remains fiercely private and is in a relationship with self-described 'virtual stylist' Anjelica Margaritis, who shares selfies of the pair online, often with him turning his face from the camera - not unlike his 'photo shoot' for the AFR.
Ms Jakob, on the other hand, appears to be embracing a fresh start.
Having emerged unscathed from the criminal proceedings, she is settling into married life and embarking on a new business venture with her husband, no doubt hoping to avoid the mistakes of the past.
The newlyweds' latest endeavour is a loan company called Jingle, which, according to Mr Burn's online biography, offers 'a smarter, faster and more ethical approach to personal credit' with funding approved in under 60 minutes.
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