Top 10 Australia’s Richest Person 2009
1 James Packer
$3.1 billion, AGE 41
Reclaims title as richest Australian despite steep stock losses at Consolidated Media and gaming company Crown. Heir to late father Kerry Packer's media group Publishing & Broadcasting (PBL), divested most of that stake; sold cattle ranches for $282 million. Joint venture with Hong Kong scion Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown, is raising $175 million in follow-on offering. Its City of Dreams Macau casino is due to open this summer.
2 Frank Lowy
$2.8 billion, AGE 78
Czech immigrant, founded retail real estate giant Westfield Group, which owns 119 malls in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Britain. Hit by economic downturn: in January announced dividend cut and writedown of assets. Stock tumbled. President of Football Federation Australia, leading nation's bid to host 2018 World Cup.
3 Harry Triguboff
$2 billion, AGE 76
"High-Rise Harry" is Australia's biggest apartment builder. His Meriton Apartments has built 55,000 flats, mainly in Sydney. In March bought land on its North Shore, with plans to build 148 apartments. Born in China to Russian parents, once drove a taxi.
4 John Gandel
$1.7 billion, AGE 74
Owns half of Melbourne shopping mall Chadstone and 17% stake in listed property trust that owns the other half. Said to own Melbourne's most expensive home. Known for conservative approach and distrust of debt.
5 Andrew Forrest
$1.65 billion, AGE 47
Last year's No. 1; shares of his Fortescue Metals Group dropped two-thirds because of slowing iron ore demand, falling prices. Firm recently sold stake to Chinese steel group. Under investigation by regulatory authorities for allegedly misleading investors in 2004 and 2005 by claiming Fortescue had signed binding contracts with China after deals fell through. Denies charges.
6 Anthony Pratt
$1.6 billion, AGE 49
Appointed co-chairman of family's packaging empire, Visy Industries, after father Richard's death in April; mother, Jeanne, is co-chairman. Former McKinsey consultant spent almost 20 years running Visy's U.S. operations. Owns its global operations with sisters Heloise and Fiona.
7 Gina Rinehart
$1.5 billion, AGE 55
Wrested control of late father's mining assets from stepmother in 2003. Earns royalties from Rio Tinto's Hamersley Basin Iron Ore Mine; also owns direct stake in another iron ore mine through family company Hancock Prospecting. Publicly urged caution regarding a proposed Chinese investment in Rio Tinto.
8 Kerr Neilson
$1.45 billion, AGE 59
South African-born financier founded Platinum Asset Management with George Soros as a backer in 1993. Reputed contrarian, cashed out nearly $500 million when firm listed in May 2007. Still has majority stake in group, which has since lost nearly half its value. Family plans to open White Rabbit Collection, museum featuring contemporary Chinese art, in June.
9 Kerry Stokes
$1 billion, AGE 68
Owns WesTrac, Australia's largest dealer of Caterpillar equipment; demand hurt by economic downturn. Also has majority stake in media group Seven Network. Still bullish on media: trying to take over Perth's Western Australian Newspapers.
10 Lindsay Fox
$970 million, AGE 72
Founder of Australia's largest private logistics company, Linfox; operates 5,000 trucks, 2 airports, warehouses and 1,000 armored vehicles. Former pro in Australian Football League got start selling soft drinks out of a truck. Has collection of 130 classic cars
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