Angela Bennett
Angela Bennett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1943 or 1944 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, mining heiress |
| Known for | Significant ownership in Wright Prospecting; legal battles over mining entitlements with Gina Rinehart |
| Spouse | Peter Bennett |
| Children | 7 |
Angela Bennett (born around 1943 or 1944) is an Australian businesswoman and mining heiress. She holds a significant ownership interest in Wright Prospecting, a key entity within Australia's mining industry. Bennett inherited extensive mining assets from her father, Peter Wright (1908–1985), a well-known figure in the mining sector.
Her professional endeavors have involved legal conflicts over mining entitlements, most notably with Gina Rinehart concerning the Hope Downs iron ore project. Bennett’s family includes her brothers Michael Wright (1937–2012) and Julian Wright, both of whom have been engaged in mining ventures. She is married to Peter Bennett and is a mother to seven children.
Biography
As the eldest adopted child of Pauline McClemans and Peter Wright, co-founder of Wright Prospecting and associate of Lang Hancock, Bennett assumed control of the family business alongside her brother Michael Wright following their father’s unexpected passing in 1985. Michael also owned the Voyager Estate winery located in Margaret River until his death in 2012.
Another sibling, Julian Wright, became estranged after accusing Angela and Michael of deception related to a 1987 financial separation agreement involving Wright Prospecting. Julian pursued legal action against his siblings in the WA Supreme Court, but his case was dismissed. His subsequent appeal to the High Court was also rejected, with costs ordered against him.
Currently, Bennett heads Wright Prospecting, with two of her sons, Todd and Paul, actively participating in its daily operations.
After a protracted twelve-year legal battle, Bennett and Michael secured a payment of 1 billion from Gina Rinehart in 2010 when Rinehart relinquished a 25% stake in the Rhodes Ridges iron ore deposit situated west of Newman in the Pilbara. In 2025, Bennett divested 15% of Rhodes Ridges to Mitsui & Co for 2 billion while maintaining a remaining 10% share; production at the site is not anticipated before 2030. Meanwhile, her nieces—Michael’s daughters Leonie Baldock and Alexandra Burt—sold their entire combined 25% interest for 3.4 billion.
Bennett holds a 15% ownership stake in Hamersley Iron, part of the Rio Tinto Group, with Gina Rinehart retaining the other 50%.
In September 2012, Bennett initiated legal proceedings against Rinehart seeking to reclaim half-ownership of tenements numbered 4, 5, and 6 at the Hope Downs mine, which was named after Rinehart’s mother, Hope Hancock. The initial court hearing took place in 2023.
Personal life
Angela Bennett is married to Peter Bennett and together they have seven children. In 2003, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Known for maintaining a low public profile, Bennett seldom makes public appearances.
One of her sons, Todd, has held directorships at Apex Mineral and at the Finance and Energy Exchange. Another son, Grant, faced bankruptcy following an unsuccessful business venture. Her daughter Rebecca embraced Islam after marriage.
Net worth
Based on the Australian Financial Review 2025 Rich List, Bennett was listed as the fifth wealthiest woman in Australia, with an estimated net worth of $8.41 billion. Back in 2014, her fortune was assessed at AUD 1.55 billion by the former BRW Rich 200.
In September 2009, she sold her residence in Mosman Park for AUD 57.5 million and relocated to an AUD 8 million apartment located in West Perth. Additionally, she parted with a yacht valued at AUD 20 million in 2010.
| Year | Financial Review Rich List |
Forbes Asia Australia's 50 Richest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Net worth (A$) | Rank | Net worth (US$) | ||
| 2011 | 12 Increase | $1.55 billion Increase | |||
| 2012 | 9 Increase | $2.30 billion Decrease | |||
| 2013 | 30 Decrease | $0.90 billion Decrease | |||
| 2014 | $1.55 billion | 25 Increase | $1.01 billion Increase | ||
| 2015 | 31 Decrease | $0.97 billion Decrease | |||
| 2016 | 29 Template:Gain | $0.93 billion Decrease | |||
| 2017 | $1.76 billion | 23 Template:Gain | $1.70 billion Template:Gain | ||
| 2018 | 27 Template:Gain | $2.17 billion Increase | |||
| 2019 | 28 Template:Gain | $2.62 billion Increase | 24 Decrease | $1.65 billion Decrease | |
| 2020 | 21 Template:Gain | $3.83 billion Increase | |||
| 2021 | 24 Decrease | $4.13 billion Template:Up | |||
| 2022 | 24 Steady | $5.00 billion Template:Up | |||
| 2023 | 20 Template:Up | $4.63 billion Decrease | |||
| 2024 | 22 Decrease | $5.04 billion Template:Up | |||
Philanthropy
In October 2024, Bennett contributed an undisclosed sum towards the establishment of an eleven-storey facility in Perth designed to shelter homeless women and children, which was named The Angela Wright Bennett Centre. In 2015, the Angela Wright Bennett Foundation provided a grant of $250,000 to support autism research at the Kids Research Institute Australia. The Foundation also serves as a founding partner of Earth4All, an international environmental non-profit initiative under the Club of Rome, dedicated to creating innovative economic frameworks aimed at combating climate change.