27 May 2013

Rinehart fortune dented by commodity prices fall

9:33 am on 27 May 2013

Sharp falls in iron ore prices this past year have carved a big hole in the fortunes of Western Australia mining heiress Gina Rinehart.

Ms Rinehart is still by far Australia's richest person. But she's a lot less wealthy than she was a year ago.

In fact, the BRW Richest 200 list shows Ms Rinehart has dropped $A7 billion in 12 months, mainly thanks lower iron ore prices.

Radio New Zealand's Sydney correspondent reports she will now have to get by on her remaining $A22 billion.

Rounding out the top five on the rich list are: Westfield supremo Frank Lowy, gambling kingpin James Packer, packaging magnate Richard Pratt and commodities czar Ivan Glasenberg.

The biggest fall from grace this year is coal mining wonder boy Nathan Tinkler, who was worth over a $A1 billion a year ago, but is now having to sell his sports cars and racehorses to re pay accumulated debts.