The Many Facets of Travers “Candyman” Beynon: Wealth, Lifestyle, and Legacy

From Modelling Runways to Tobacco Empire Throne

Travers Beynon — better known to much of the world as “Candyman” — didn’t start as a tycoon. Born on March 6, 1972, in Melbourne, Australia, Beynon first pursued athletics, playing Australian Rules Football before a back injury ended his sporting aspirations. 

But a twist of fate soon turned him toward modelling — and modelling proved more than a fallback. By the 1990s, Beynon was working internationally with high-end fashion brands, giving him a firsthand view of glamour and luxury. He later redirected his earnings into his family’s business, laying the foundation for what would become his empire. 

That family business — Freechoice Tobacco — would eventually elevate Beynon’s status from former rugby hopeful and ex-model to self-made tycoon (albeit inheriting and expanding a family venture), reshaping not only his wealth but his identity.

Building a Fortune — The Business Behind the “Candyman” Persona

Under Beynon’s leadership, Freechoice became a nationwide powerhouse. Reports indicate the company grew from modest origins to hundreds of stores across Australia, plus a vast network of cigarette vending machines. 

According to one estimate, Travers Beynon’s net worth stands at $200 million. This aligns with his transformation from ex-model and athlete to a full-fledged businessman. His investments in real estate and aggressive expansion of Freechoice helped build a foundation solid enough to support his larger-than-life lifestyle.

Yet unlike many traditional business magnates, Beynon didn’t shy away from flaunting his wealth — instead, he built a public persona that merged commerce with spectacle.

“Candyland”: Mansion, Luxury, and Public Spectacle

Part of what makes Beynon a controversial yet compelling figure is his lavish residence, often referred to as the “Candy Shop Mansion.” Under his ownership — starting from a riverfront property purchased around 2010 — the mansion was expanded into a sprawling estate featuring opulent interiors, grand party spaces, and a wealth of luxury amenities. 

This mansion became the stage for extravagant parties, lavish social media posts, and a lifestyle that blends entrepreneurial success with what some call the modern “playboy” mythos. For supporters, it’s the ultimate expression of freedom and achievement; for critics, a symbol of excess and decadence. Beynon himself has described the estate as “a representation of how I see the world” — a home that embodies beauty, success, and personal reinvention. 

Relationships, Family — Behind the Headlines

Despite public perception of constant parties and a revolving door of companions, Beynon’s personal life is more layered than headlines suggest. Having once been married to former Miss Venezuela and beauty-pageant winner Ninibeth Leal, he shares two children with her. 

After that marriage ended, Beynon remarried Taesha Beynon — whom he met around 2009 — and together they have at least two children. 

His relationships and family dynamics have drawn scrutiny: while media frequently highlight the girlfriends and “party man” persona, some portrayals suggest a more stable semblance of domestic life behind closed doors. In a 2019 profile, when the public was invited inside the mansion on a regular weekday — no celebration, no spectacle — the image was of a man balancing the business of tobacco and real estate with family life. 

The Double-Edged Legacy: Success, Spectacle, Critique

Travers Beynon’s journey is a compelling example of how wealth, ambition, and self-reinvention can combine to create a powerful personal brand. On one side, there is a narrative many aspire to: overcoming setbacks (injury, loss of sport), using modelling as a springboard, investing wisely, and building a business empire from family roots. On the other side — the neon lights, viral parties, flashy mansions, and public scrutiny — a life that constantly courts controversy and invites polarized opinions.

His legacy arguably depends as much on perception as on profit. For some, he’s Australia’s answer to extravagant luxury and boundless freedom; for others, a cautionary tale of excess. But regardless of where one stands, Travers Beynon remains a rare example of someone who fused traditional business with modern spectacle — and turned “Candyman” into a brand.