Billionaire Profile
Angela Bennett
Global Rank
#971

Image: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General | CC BY 4.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Angela Bennett

CEO, Mining
AUSTRALIA
Real-Time Net Worth
$4.392B
Estimated based on Mining stock value as of April 20, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
81
Source
Mining
Industry
Metals & Mining
Citizenship
AUSTRALIA

Biography

Angela Bennett, born around 1943, is an Australian mining heiress and businesswoman with a current net worth of $4.4 billion. Her wealth stems from iron ore royalties, initially secured through her father, Peter Wright, co-founder of Wright Prospecting. Bennett's career has centered on managing and growing these royalty interests, primarily from Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in Western Australia. She is known for her reclusive nature and has consistently prioritized privacy in her business dealings. Over the decades, she has navigated significant family legal disputes while building her wealth.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/20/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Angela Bennett was born Angela Wright around 1943 in Australia. She is the eldest adopted daughter of Peter Wright, a prospector and entrepreneur. Her upbringing was private, reflecting her long-standing preference for avoiding media attention. Her father co-founded Wright Prospecting with Lang Hancock.

Rise to Success

Following her father's death in 1985, Angela Bennett inherited a significant stake in Wright Prospecting. She, along with her brother Michael Wright, took control, prioritizing the retention of the royalty interests. Bennett's success is tied to these iron ore royalty agreements. She manages these through her family office, AMB Holdings.

Key Business Strategies

Bennett's key strategy has been to maintain a low public profile and manage her family's wealth through AMB Holdings. Her focus has been on capital preservation and strategic asset allocation, as opposed to aggressive business expansion. In 2025, she sold a 15% stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project to Mitsui & Co. for approximately $2 billion, retaining a 10% interest. She also strategically sold her West Perth penthouse in 2025.

Philanthropy

Angela Bennett's philanthropic activities are primarily channeled through the Angela Wright Bennett Foundation, a private ancillary fund that supports charitable causes. She also made a donation to support the construction of a shelter in Perth for homeless women and children named The Angela Wright Bennett Centre. In 2015, the Foundation granted $250,000 to support autism research at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Career Milestones

1985

Took control of Wright Prospecting

Following her father's death, she took control of Wright Prospecting, focusing on maintaining royalty interests in iron ore.

2009

Sold Mosman Park home

Sold her home in Mosman Park for $57.5 million, which was an Australian record at the time.

2010

Received $1 billion settlement

Received $1 billion from Gina Rinehart after a legal battle.

2012

Sued Gina Rinehart

Sued Gina Rinehart to recover 50% of tenements 4, 5, and 6 of the Hope Downs mine.

2025

Sold stake in Rhodes Ridge iron ore project

Sold a 15% stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project to Mitsui & Co for $2 billion.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Community Support

Angela Wright Bennett Centre

$XB

Donation to support the construction of a shelter in Perth for homeless women and children.

Medical Research

Autism Research

$0.25B

Donation to autism research being led by Andrew Whitehouse at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Environmental

Earth4All

Unknown

Provided startup funding for Earth4All, a collective focused on new economic thinking and testing model outcomes.

Controversies & Challenges

2012

Legal dispute with Gina Rinehart

Sued Gina Rinehart to recover 50% of tenements 4, 5, and 6 of the Hope Downs mine.

Family disputes

Family litigation

Prolonged family litigation, including a high-profile dispute with her brother, Julian Wright, who alleged fraud in the handling of a multibillion-dollar settlement with Hancock Prospecting over royalty entitlements.