Gay Branchi charged with attempted murder of husband Robert Branchi

Records show the couple also still own the riverside four-bedroom Mosman Park home they first bought in 1995 for $1.5 million, when Mr Branchi was still the chairman of Automotive Holdings Group.

He served as chair of the Perth-based car dealership network from 2004 until he retired in late 2010, before that serving as a director for 25 years.

He had long been a substantial shareholder of the company, owning more than 17 million shares as of 2007.

Mr Branchi is also a friend and mentor to prominent Perth businessman Bronte Howson, who served as chief executive of the company before founding Perth Audi Centre.

In 2016, Mr Branchi sold off shares to net almost $13 million and helms a family foundation that regularly donates to Telethon, as well as the WA Symphony Orchestra.