Imelda Roche
Imelda Joan Roche | |
|---|---|
| Born | Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, real estate investor |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Known for | Co-establishing Nutrimetics International (Australia) Pty Limited; founding the Roche Group |
Imelda Joan Roche (born ) is an Australian businesswoman and real estate investor who, alongside her spouse Bill Roche (deceased 30 June 2022), co-established Nutrimetics International (Australia) Pty Limited in 1968. Subsequently, they founded the Roche Group, a company focused on property development.
Career
Imelda and Bill Roche first crossed paths in 1956 and embarked on their entrepreneurial journey by selling lamps directly to customers at their homes.
In 1968, the couple secured the Australian franchise rights for Nutrimetics, initiating operations with an initial stock valued at AUD 6,000. By 1991, they had expanded their ownership to include Nutrimetics International's global interests. The Nutrimetics Group was eventually sold in 1997 to the Sara Lee Corporation, at which time it generated annual revenues of A$250 million.
Their ventures extended into property development and investment, beginning with the acquisition of a warehouse in Sydney during the late 1950s. Over time, their real estate holdings expanded to encompass residential subdivisions, rural lands, and commercial office buildings. The Roche Group Pty Ltd was officially incorporated in 2000 and owns prominent Hunter Valley sites such as Hunter Valley Gardens, the Roche Estate concert venue, and Harrigan's Irish Pub.
In 2020, the Roche Group became involved in a dispute related to a housing project in West Wallsend, NSW, which is situated on an Aboriginal women’s cultural site acknowledged by both state and federal authorities. Despite objections, development activities appeared to continue, raising concerns about potential harm to the heritage site.
Bill Roche passed away on 30 June 2022 at the age of 87.
Personal life
Between 1990 and 1992, Roche held the position of president of Chief Executive Women. In 1993, she was appointed chair of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations—an organization representing 50 national bodies and 1,500 companies—becoming both the first female and first Australian to serve in this capacity.
In April 1994, then-Prime Minister Paul Keating designated her as Australia's delegate to the Pacific Business Forum within APEC, a role she maintained under John Howard’s Business Advisory Council to APEC starting in 1996.
Roche served as acting chancellor of Bond University from August until November 1999 before officially assuming the chancellorship until May 2003.
She was named chair of Family Business Australia’s New South Wales Chapter in March 1999 and became patron of the Hawke Centre at the University of South Australia in June 2001.
Her board and committee memberships have included St Vincent's Hospital, Sisters of Charity Foundation, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, several universities, NSW government education committees, Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, as well as Air Services Australia.
Net worth
The combined net worth of Bill and Imelda Roche was estimated at 1.42 billion AUD according to the Financial Review Rich List in 2019. Following Bill Roche’s passing in 2022, Imelda Roche’s personal net worth was evaluated at 1.76 billion AUD as of May 2025.
| Year | Financial Review Rich List |
Forbes Australia's 50 Richest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Net worth (AUD) | Rank | Net worth (USD) | |
| 2019 | Template:Nts 
|
$1.42 billion
|
||
| 2020 | Template:Nts 
|
$1.21 billion
|
||
| 2021 | Template:Nts
|
$1.22 billion
|
||
| 2022 | ||||
| 2023 | Template:Nts
|
$1.57 billion
|
||
| 2024 | $1.70 billion Template:Up | |||
| 2025 | Template:Nts | $1.76 billion Template:Up | ||
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Icon | Description |
|
No change from previous year |
|
|
Increase from previous year |
| Template:Loss | Decrease from previous year |
Recognition and awards
- 1986: Honored with the Australian Pursuit of Excellence Award for outstanding leadership within the Direct Selling sector
- 1995: Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of exceptional service to business, advocacy for women's issues, and community involvement
- 1996: Conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Macquarie University
- April 1997: Included among the 50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs worldwide at an event held in Paris, France
- June 1997: Achieved the top position in Business Sydney's list of the 25 most successful women-owned enterprises in New South Wales
- 2001: Recipient of the Centenary Medal acknowledging notable contributions to leadership in Australian business
- 2004: Awarded an honorary doctorate by Bond University