To celebrate International Women’s Day, BRW magazine has released its Rich Women List for 2015.
The list features the 30 wealthiest self-made Australian women. All of these women have been integral in creating and building their own wealth – as entrepreneurs, in the corporate world, as entertainers – and therefore excludes women who have inherited their fortune. As such, Gina Rinehart, who frequently tops rich women lists, is excluded.
The list paints a positive picture because it demonstrates improvement on all fronts from its 2014 equivalent. The combined wealth has skyrocketed by almost a billion dollars at $5.4 billion, up from $4.5 billion in 2014.
The average wealth of each woman on the list is $181 million, up from $150 million in 2014.
And the cut off is $51 million, up more than $15 million from last year’s.
So who are the women on the list?
The list is topped by TPG co-founder Vicky Teoh, who has amassed wealth of $938 million. She started the company with her husband David Teoh and has also invested in a variety of other entrepreneurial ventures. Her overall wealth has grown by an amazing $180 million since she topped BRW’s Rich Women list 12 months ago.
The second wealthiest woman on the list is Charlotte Vidor, who owns hotel chain Toga Group. The business began as a construction company when the couple founded it together in 1963, but has since branched out to hospitality and hotel chains. Together, the couple also own Seafarm, one of Australia’s largest prawn producers. Vidor’s wealth is estimated at $385 million.
Super Retail Group owner Hazel Rowe comes in at number three. With her husband Reg, Rowe founded an automotive business in 1972, then called Super Cheap Auto. Originating in Queensland, the business grew and quickly became an Australia-wide company. The pair later acquired sporting goods business Rebel Group and changed the company’s name from Super Cheap Auto to Super Retail Group Limited. Rowe’s net wealth currently sits at $376 million.
2015 is the first time Rowe has made the list – impressive when you consider that she came in at number three.
There were another three new entrants on this year’s list – Ines Scotland, CEO of Citadel Resource Group, debuted at number 19 with a wealth of $78 million; Claire Gray, Executive Director (global development) of Corporate Travel Management Limited came in at number 28 with $54 million and fitness trainer Michelle Bridges arrived at number 29 with $53 million.
Broadly, the women on the list are made up of corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, entertainers and fashion aficionados. The largest portion of wealth comes from the retail, food, fashion and entertainment industries.
The list also includes celebrities Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Cate Blanchett and Elle MacPherson.
BRW deputy editor Caitlin Fitzsimmons said the Rich Women list is an important way to draw much-needed attention to successful women in business.
“I love that the BRW Rich Women list puts the spotlight on women doing extraordinary things in varied and creative fields, and it is fitting that we can recognise them on International Women’s Day,” she said.
“Wealth is just one lens on success but for us it is a way to highlight a bunch of passionate and committed women and share their amazing stories.”
She said the lack of women in other rich lists run by BRW demonstrates the need to promote and support women.
“Our other rich lists reveal a disparity in wealth between men and women in Australia and if we want that to change, we need to inspire more Australian women to found and grow ambitious and long lasting businesses. The evidence is clear – more women in Australia get rich through building their own businesses than through corporate careers, entertainment or sport. “