From the Editor
  • Andrew Forrest founded Fortescue Metals Group in 2003. It's an iron ore giant which is now transforming itself into a green energy powerhouse.
  • In 2022, his privately held Squadron Energy paid an estimated A$4 billion for Australia's biggest wind energy company, CWP Renewables.
  • Forrest has also promised to spend A$750 million on rebuilding Ukraine's energy and communications infrastructure.
  • Forrest and his wife Nicola founded Minderoo Foundation, a philanthropic outfit with an A$9.6 billion endowment, focused on everything from gender equality to climate change to rebuilding Ukraine.
  • Forrest and Nicola announced their separation in July 2023 after being married for more than three decades.
Wealth History
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Personal Stats
Age
63
Source of Wealth
Mining, Self Made
Residence
Perth, Australia
Citizenship
Australia
Marital Status
Separated
Children
3
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Western Australia; Ph.D, University of Western Australia
Did you know
Known by his schoolboy nickname "Twiggy," Forrest was a onetime stockbroker and keen amateur boxer.
He once tried to make a living as an alpaca farmer and is a descendant of the first premier of the state of West Australia, Lord Forrest of Bunbury.
Australia's biggest philanthropists, in 2023 he and wife Nicola gifted shares worth nearly A$5 billion to their foundation.
In September 2024, he struck a $2.8 billion deal to buy hundreds of electric trucks, excavators and dozers for his iron ore mines.
In Their Own Words

You cannot afford a world with slavery, which literally takes someone and turns them into a machine.

Andrew Forrest & family
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