Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has eclipsed Wal-Mart
heiress Christy Walton to become the world’s wealthiest woman, according
to an annual index by Business Review Weekly.
According to AFP, a
preview of the respected BRW Rich 200 list, published Wednesday, put
the mining tycoon’s personal fortune at Aus$29.17 billion (US$28.48
billion), a figure that sees her outstrip Walton for the first time.
In March, Forbes placed Walton and her family’s net worth at US$25.3 billion, while Rinehart’s fortune stood at US$18 billion.
BRW
rich list editor Andrew Heathcote said mining magnate Rinehart had
almost tripled her wealth in 12 months as commodity prices rose and she
pulled off two deals in iron ore and coal.
“The Aus$18.87 billion
increase in her wealth is unparalleled. It is a product of foreign
investment in new projects, increased production and a recovery in the
iron ore price over the past six months,” said Heathcote.
Rinehart,
58, heiress to an iron ore prospecting empire built in Australia’s
resources-rich west, is a controversial figure who stridently campaigned
against new mining taxes and recently bought up big in the media
sector.
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