I came across a story out of New South Wales, Australia about Gina Rinehart– (who?) – well, apparently she is soon to become the world’s richest woman worth almost $ 20 Billion!
Ms. Rinehart, who just turned 58, inherited her wealth from her late father the Australian iron ore magnate, Lang Hancock.
Ms. Rinehart is currently embroiled in a legal battle with three of her children, John, Bianca and Hope. Her other child, daughter Gina sides with Mom. The three siblings are seeking removal of Mom as Trustee of the family trust.
The trust was set up to keep the family’s financial affairs private but now that the dispute has proceeded to Court, the family’s dirty laundry is out in the open for all to see and read.
Emails released in Court have disclosed the bitter dispute between Mom and the siblings .
In one email to her mother, daughter Hope Rinehart Welker requested a birthday present of a chef, bodyguard and housekeeper because she was down to her last “$ 60,000.00” and Mom was only paying her husband “$ 1 per year” ( no mention where the husband gets the rest of his income).
Apparently, being rich isn’t all it’s made out to be. Daughter Hope wrote Mom:
“ I don’t think you understand what it means now that the whole world thinks you’re going to be wealthier than Bill Gates- it means we all need bodyguards and very safe homes!….Even my friends who have nothing compared to your wealth have more staff.”
So like my Mom says : “Money does not buy happiness”.
But it would be nice to have a personal chef !