Gina Rinehart
Born 1954 · Age 71
Australian mining magnate and heiress; Executive Chairwoman of Hancock Prospecting; major investor in mining, media and agriculture; prominent philanthropist and political activist.
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Life & Career Timeline
Early childhood at Nunyerry and Mulga Downs
Lived at Nunyerry until age four, then family moved to Mulga Downs station in the Pilbara.
Born in Perth, Western Australia
Georgina Hope Hancock (Gina Rinehart) born at St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Perth.
Started boarding at St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
From age eight attended boarding school at St Hilda's in Perth.
Enrolled at University of Sydney (economics), then dropped out
Briefly studied economics at the University of Sydney; dropped out after about a year to work with her father.
Began working for Lang Hancock / became personal assistant
Left university to work with her father at Hancock Prospecting; active in Pilbara operations.
Married Greg Milton (Hayward)
Married Englishman Greg Milton (who later used the surname Hayward).
Birth of son John Langley (John Hayward-Hancock)
Eldest child John born (originally John Langley Hayward).
Separated from Greg Hayward
Separated from first husband; later divorced in 1981.
Married Frank Rinehart (second husband)
Married U.S. lawyer/corporate executive Frank Rinehart in Las Vegas.
Hope Margaret Hancock Trust established (trustee appointed)
Lang Hancock established the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust naming Gina as trustee and four grandchildren beneficiaries.
Legal dispute with stepmother Rose Porteous begins
Began a 14-year legal fight over Lang Hancock's death and estate with stepmother Rose Porteous (dispute lasted about 14 years).
Converted Hancock Prospecting from prospecting to active developer/operator
Post-1992 she transformed HPPL from exploration and tenure-holder to developer/operator, raising JV capital and turning leases into producing mines (Hope Downs, Roy Hill, etc.).
Death of Lang Hancock; Gina becomes Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting
After her father's death in March 1992, she succeeded him as Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd and HPPL group.
Applied for and secured Roy Hill tenements
Applied for Roy Hill tenements five months after father's death and achieved them in 1993, beginning development of Roy Hill project.
Hancock Range named in family honour
Western Australia approved naming Hancock Range to commemorate family contribution to Pilbara pastoral and mining industry.
Son John changes surname to Hancock
John (her son) changed his surname by deed poll from Hayward to Hancock at age 27.
Became a billionaire (nominal) amid iron ore boom
Due to the iron ore boom, Gina Rinehart became a nominal billionaire by 2006.
Diggers & Dealers 'Deal of the Year' (Hope Downs)
Awarded Diggers & Dealers 'Deal of the Year' for Hope Downs.
First appearance on Forbes Asia Australia's 40 Richest (est. US$1B)
Forbes listed her among Australia's 40 richest with estimated wealth of US$1 billion.
Multiple business awards (2009)
Received Australian Export Heroes Award, Telstra WA Business Owner Award, Telstra Business Woman of the Year (WA and National) and related national Telstra awards.
Founded ANDEV (Australians for Northern Development and Economic Vision) (active by 2010–2011)
Founded lobby group ANDEV promoting Northern Australia's development, special economic zones and reduced regulation/taxation (active and public campaigning since ~2010).
Acquired 10% stake in Ten Network Holdings; joined Ten board
Took a 10% shareholding in Ten Network Holdings and joined its board (later left board in 2014 but retained stake until later).
Became Australia's richest woman
BRW reported she became Australia's richest woman in 2010 and later Australia's richest person in 2011.
Hosted/ funded appearances by climate-sceptic speakers (Monckton, Plimer)
Funded and hosted speaking tours/lectures by Lord Monckton and Ian Plimer via donations and Hancock Prospecting support (circa 2010–2011).
Royalty income noted from Hamersley Iron (ongoing)
Continued to benefit from legacy royalty streams established by Lang Hancock dating from the late 1960s (ongoing contributor to company revenues).
Named Australia's richest person by Forbes / BRW
Forbes and BRW named Rinehart the richest Australian; Forbes estimated US$9B that year.
Children commence legal action regarding Hope Margaret Hancock Trust
In 2011 daughter Hope commenced proceedings in NSW Supreme Court seeking removal of Gina as sole trustee; John and Bianca later identified as parties to the dispute.
Swimming Australia A$10M funding agreement via Georgina Hope Foundation
Swimming Australia announced a $10 million funding arrangement over 4 years with the Georgina Hope Foundation and Hancock Prospecting to support swimmers and aquatic sports.
Public controversy over comments and media statements (economic competitiveness / workforce comments)
Made a widely-reported statement in 2012 concerning global competitiveness and low-wage workers; drew critical responses from government figures.
Declared world's richest woman (approx. A$29B)
BRW estimated her wealth at around A$29.17 billion in 2012; Forbes listed US$18B and she overtook Christy Walton in some rankings.
Public speech and media appearances critical of climate policy and economic regulation
Publically opposed carbon tax and resource rent taxes; spoke widely about competitiveness and wages in speeches (Sydney Mining Club video Aug 23, 2012).
Increased Fairfax Media stake to >12% (Feb) and 18.67% (June)
Became Fairfax's biggest shareholder (Feb 2012 >12%), later increased to ~18.67% and sought board seats; negotiations broke down in June.
Included on Forbes 'World's 100 Most Powerful Women'
Following peak wealth and influence in 2012, she was included on Forbes' list of most powerful women.
Attempted board control of Fairfax; negotiation breakdown
Sought board seats and editorial influence at Fairfax after increasing stake; negotiations broke down and she was not offered board positions.
Honorary Doctorate from Bond University
Awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contribution to the Australian economy and wider community.
Published book on Northern Australia development (ANDEV)
Published book promoting development of Northern Australia and special economic zones (often cited as 2013 'Northern Australia and then some').
Stood down as trustee of Hope Margaret Hancock Trust (Oct 2013)
Stepped down as trustee during the trust-related court hearings.
Left Ten Network board (announced she was too busy)
Reportedly quit the Channel Ten board in 2014 but retained her ~10% stake at that time.
Acquired 50% stake in Liveringa and Nerrima Stations for A$40M (2014)
Purchased a 50% stake in two large cattle stations as part of agricultural expansion; A$40 million purchase reported.
Named 'Australian Miner of the Decade' and received many industry lifetime awards
In 2015 and subsequent years she received multiple industry accolades including Mines & Money Lifetime Achiever and Australian Miner of the Decade.
Sold Fairfax stake (exit)
After failed board negotiations and editorial-independence disputes, she exited Fairfax Media in 2015; total proceeds reported around $306M.
Hope Margaret Hancock Trust valuation reported ~A$5B (June 2015)
Trust that she managed (established 1988) was believed valued around A$5 billion and owned ~23.6% of Hancock Prospecting.
Court decision appointing Bianca as trustee of Hope Margaret Hancock Trust (28 May 2015)
NSW Supreme Court decision handed down 28 May 2015 appointing Bianca as new trustee (resolution of long-running family trust dispute).
Bought Fossil Downs Station (Kimberley) — purchase reported July 2015
Acquired iconic Fossil Downs Station (approx. 4,000 km2, stocked with ~15,000 head) after it was on market for first time in 133 years; sale price undisclosed, estimated A$25–30M.
Secured A$7.9 billion funding for Roy Hill; mine opening and first shipments
Secured A$7.9 billion financing for Roy Hill (largest ever for mainly greenfield land-based mine & infrastructure at the time); initial ore shipments to China commenced Oct 2015.
Forbes net worth decline to US$8.5B (2016)
Forbes assessed Rinehart's net worth at US$8.5 billion in 2016, reflecting mining sector slowdown.
Reported donations by Hancock Prospecting to Institute of Public Affairs revealed (2016–2017)
Court disclosures revealed HPPL donated $2.3M to IPA in 2016 and $2.2M in 2017; Rinehart linked as key donor to IPA activities.
Invested in Sirius Minerals (deal announced Oct 2016)
Hancock Prospecting struck a deal to invest in UK-listed Sirius Minerals to help deliver the North Yorkshire polyhalite project.
Forbes estimated net worth US$14.8B (2019)
Forbes listed her with an estimated net worth of US$14.8 billion in the 'Australia's 50 richest' list.
Inducted into Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame (2020)
Inducted in recognition of contribution to WA resources sector (entrepreneurs & promoters category).
Wealth rebound amid iron ore demand; AFR estimated A$28.89B (2020)
Following a rebound in iron ore prices, The Australian Financial Review estimated her net worth at A$28.89 billion and restored her as wealthiest Australian.
Reported net worth A$36.28B (March 2021, Australian Business Review)
The Australian Business Review reported her net worth at A$36.28 billion in March 2021.
Grassy Mountain Coal Project denied by Canadian review (AER/ECCC) — regulatory setback
June 17, 2021 panel denied application for Grassy Mountain Coal Project (Alberta) due to significant adverse environmental effects; project was pursued by Benga Mining / Northback Holdings (associated with Rinehart).
Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Honoured in 2022 Australia Day Honours for distinguished service to the mining sector, philanthropy and sport patronage.
Roy Hill wins Australian Mine of the Year (2023) and AFR Business Person of the Year
Roy Hill awarded Australian Mine of the Year 2023; Rinehart named Australian Financial Review's Business Person of the Year.
Estimated net worth > A$37 billion (AFR Rich List May 2023)
Australian Financial Review Rich List May 2023 estimated her wealth in excess of A$37 billion; also named Western Australian of the Year (2023).
Disclosed stakes in Lynas Rare Earths (5.82%) and MP Materials (5.3%) (April 2024)
Revealed holdings in two rare earth producers, signaling strategic moves into rare-earths sector dominated by China.
Forbes net worth assessment US$30.8B (March 8, 2024)
Forbes assessed her net worth at US$30.8 billion and ranked her among the world's billionaires.
Multiple 2024 awards and recognitions (including international and industry awards)
Received numerous 2024 honours including Royal Order of Sahametrei (Cambodia), AI Innovation Award (RoyBot) and Mines & Money lifetime awards among others.
Australian Financial Review Rich List net worth estimate A$38.11B (2025)
AFR 2025 Rich List estimated Rinehart's net worth at A$38.11 billion, ranking her the wealthiest Australian.
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