The combined wealth of the 20 richest Australian women is nudging $100 billion, reveals the 2023 Financial Review Rich Women List released on Friday.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest woman with an estimated $36.7 billion fortune, followed by fellow West Australian Nicola Forrest, who debuts on the list with a $16.5 billion fortune thanks to her increased activity within investment group Tattarang, including its recent investment in fashion label Camilla.

With the combined wealth of the top 20 women now sitting at $97 billion, the 2023 list features a diverse range of women from mining magnates, tech innovators and property moguls to fashion designers, musicians and models.

Published ahead of International Women’s Day, the list aims to showcase the nation’s exceptional female business builders, many of them taking a simple idea and turning it into a successful global business. Total wealth held by the 75 women on the list is $117.2 billion.

Canva co-founder Melanie Perkins takes out third place with an estimated $6.6 billion fortune, while Australia’s fashion industry proves to be a heavy hitter in wealth creation. Sportsgirl and Sussan owner Naomi Milgrom has a wealth of $1.163 billion, while Decjuba founder Tania Austin is worth $856 million. 

The designer behind globally-loved kaftans, Camilla Franks, debuts on the list, with an estimated $135 million fortune, and joins designers Nicky and Simone Zimmerman ($171 million each), athleisure pioneer Lorna Jane Clarkson ($134 million), and Federal MP Allegra Spender and her designer sister Bianca Spender, who both own stakes in their late mother’s Carla Zampatti business ($129 million each).

Other notable entrants on the list include the mother and daughter duo behind the Baker’s Delight bakery franchise business Lesley and Elise Gillespie ($125 million each); supermodel Elle Macpherson ($140 million); musician Kylie Minogue ($101 million); Boost Juice founder Janine Allis ($100 million) and co-owners of Merivale Bettina Hemmes ($370 million) and her mother Merivale Hemmes ($370 million).

“This year we have expanded the Rich Women List from 50 women to 75 to better showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of Australian women. There are 23 new faces that join the list, while two women re-join the ranks. While the top end of the list is dominated by traditional Rich List sectors of mining, technology, property and manufacturing there’s a significant number of women cutting fortunes from retail and human resources,” said Rich List co-editor Julie-anne Sprague.

“This country has extraordinary women creating businesses, who are faced with increased challenges including lower levels of funding from the finance sector to get their enterprises off the ground. But they persevere, have focus and are building strong businesses.”

AFR Rich List co-editor Michael Bailey said: “The Rich Women List celebrates Australia’s self-made female centi-millionaires, a group which, hearteningly, continues to grow.”

“And while many of the women on this List are the wives or daughters of a departed Rich List stalwart, they have earned their place through a continuing, and often transformative stewardship of their family’s business.”

The Financial Review Rich Women List is available now on www.afr.com

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing 
amotte@nine.com.au

Friday, March 3, 2023