From the Packers to the Inghams, there are plenty of extremely wealthy families in Australia – and lots of inherited wealth.
Within these dynasties’ newer generations, some members, like Francesca Packer Barham, choose to keep a low profile, while others have embraced their socialite status.
Here, nine.com.au takes a look at the Aussie heiresses set to inherit billions.
Francesca Packer Barham
Francesca is the granddaughter of late Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer, who died in 2005.
His father was Sir Frank Packer, a media mogul.
She is the niece of businessman and gaming mogul James Packer, 58, and daughter of Gretel Packer, 60, and English financier Nick Barham, who tends to keep a relatively low profile.
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While not yet confirmed, it was reported earlier this month that the Packer heiress was set to marry her partner Robert Bates.
The Daily Telegraph reported Francesca, 31, and entrepreneur Bates, 46, were saying ‘I do’ in a quiet family-only legal ceremony at her family’s sprawling Hunter Valley Estate.
She is reportedly planning a bigger, more lavish wedding celebration on Spain’s island of Majorca in July.
Last year, it was reported Francesca sold a Sydney penthouse apartment in Darlinghurst’s Horizon tower for a cool $27.5 million.
The Packer family’s net worth is reportedly estimated at upwards of a whopping $7 billion.
Louise Hay (now Lou O’Neil) and Deborah Symond O’Neil
Heiress Lou Hay is the daughter of the late Donald Hay, who founded and was the Executive Chairman of brush making giant Hayco, which is based in Hong Kong.
Her mother is Maribi Hay.
Donald Hay’s fortune was said to be in the billions, though it had more humble beginnings; his grandfather William E. Hay originally founded brush manufacturer S. A. Brush Co. Ltd in 1892 in Australia.
Despite coming from one of Australia’s wealthiest families, Lou married into another one, tying the knot with property developer Jake O’Neil back in 2022.
They had dated in high school before going their separate ways and later finding each other again.
She was previously engaged to Norwegian fiancé Nicolai Asplin, and is the cousin of Hermione Underwood, who was close friends with Lara Bingle Worthington.
Lou’s husband O’Neil is the son of superyacht broker and Rose Bay marina owner Denis O’Neil.
His brother Ned O’Neil is married to another heiress – Deborah Symond O’Neil, the daughter of Aussie Home Loans’ John Symond.
She is behind the luxury designer clothing and accessories website Sport Motif.
When Lou’s father died in 2019, she shared a touching tribute on Instagram alongside pictures of the pair together.
“17.07.19 💔 The day before our wedding celebrations were set to begin, instead I said goodbye to the first love of my life,” she wrote.
“Grief has knocked the wind right out of me but I still feel you guiding me. In our hearts forever and always Dad.”
Donald’s son Christopher Hay is the CEO of Hayco and has been since 2013.
Jess Ingham
Does the Ingham name ring a bell? You probably pass it daily on your supermarket run.
Jess Ingham is a Sydney-based influencer, media identity and, yes, an Ingham chicken heiress.
She is the granddaughter of the late chicken and thoroughbred racing billionaire Jack Ingham. He and his brother Bob ran Inghams Enterprises.
In 1918, Walter Ingham Sr. founded Ingham’s Group Limited and purchased bushland in Casula for his son.
Tamie Ingham is another name that likely rings a bell.
She’s also an heiress to the Ingham name, and co-founded shoe company Mara & Mine with Jasmine Stefanovic.
Tamie is Jess’ cousin, and is married to chef Guillaume Brahimi.
Meanwhile, Tamie’s brother Johnny Ingham is married to socialite Rey Vakili, who worked as a personal assistant to Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
The Ingham family’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.17 billion.
The Forrest children
However, not all young generations of Aussie dynasties are inheriting their family’s entire fortunes – two prominent billionaires are giving most of their fortune away to charity, instead of to their three kids, before their deaths.
Sophia (Sof) Forrest has carved out a public profile with roles in TV shows and films like Love Child and Ride Life a Girl. But the actor’s surname is famous in itself.
The 31-year-old’s parents are billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, the chairman of mining company Fortescue, and Nicola Forrest.
However, the businessman and Nicola, who have since split, have said their three children – daughter Grace (pictured above), Sof and son Sydney – won’t be left the vast majority of their massive $35 billion fortune. It’s going to charity instead.
Nicola told ABC’s Australian Story: “We live in a home and I have a great life – but the things that are most important in life, money doesn’t buy that.”
“Children don’t benefit from thinking they’re going to inherit a huge amount of money.
“The decision to give away everything but the personal things and goods was easy. You know, let’s not die wealthy. What’s the point of that?”
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