Nicola Forrest beams in photos with her daughter in Paris following her split from Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest
Nicola Forrest beams in photos with her daughter in Paris following her split from Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest
Nicola Forrest has been pictured for the first time since her $32 billion split from husband Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, 31.
The mining tycoon appeared on her eldest child’s Instagram as the couple flew to Paris for the Rugby World Cup.
Australia’s richest couple caused a stir in the corporate world in July when they announced their 31-year marriage was over and the two were living separate lives.
But Ms Forrest and her philanthropist daughter Grace were all smiles on Saturday night as they drank beer and watched hosts France beat the New Zealand All Blacks at the Stade de France.
Ms Forrest and her charitable daughter Grace were all smiles on Saturday night as they drank beer and watched hosts France beat the New Zealand All Blacks at the Stade de France (pictured)
Grace, the founding director of the human rights organization Walk Free, which aims to end modern slavery, cryptically captioned the picture of her pints “Honest” (pictured)
Grace, the founding director of the human rights organization Walk Free, which aims to end modern slavery, cryptically captioned the picture of her pints “Honest.”
Ms Forrest, now Australia’s third richest woman with a fortune of $14.6 billion following the split, did not attend Fortescue’s 20th birthday celebrations in the Pilbara last month.
The mother of three, who also shares children Sophia and Sydney with Twiggy, appeared via video link at the “surreal” party where she spoke about how far Fortescue has come as a company.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Forrest made his first public comments about the shocking split from his wife.
“Nic and I are good friends, we talk all the time, she’s a fantastic woman,” Mr Forrest said Nine news.
“We decided it would be better for everyone if we didn’t live directly on top of each other but were still totally supportive of each other.”
The couple insist this will have no impact on the direction of their mining empire or philanthropic interests.
Mr Forrest was asked what assurances he could give shareholders that the former couple’s new agreement would not have an impact on the business.
His estranged wife is now Fortescue’s largest shareholder.
“I assure you fully – Nic and I are in agreement on this,” Mr Forrest added.
“We are fully committed to Fortescue, Tattarang and all the goals of Mindaroo, we are in complete agreement.”
The couple’s wealth was largely amassed through their 36 percent stake in iron ore mining company Fortescue Metals Group, which they founded in 2003.
They jointly oversee their private investment arm, Tattarang, and are also co-founders and co-chairs of their philanthropic venture Minderoo Foundation, which works to solve a range of issues from modern slavery to plastic pollution.
“We will continue our shared mission to create and give our wealth to address community and global challenges, as recently demonstrated by donating a fifth of our Fortescue share to the Minderoo Foundation last month,” the couple said in a statement joint declaration.
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest says he’s still ‘good friends’ with his estranged wife Nicola (pictured in happier times in New York)
The revelation of their split came after the AFR approached the couple last month about a transaction that would see more than $1.1 billion worth of Fortescue shares transferred to a new company called Coaxial Ventures, which is becoming 100% owned by Ms. Forrest.
This transaction came about after Mr Forrest gave up half of his Tattarang share to Ms Forrest.
According to the AFR, through both transactions Ms Forrest gained control of more Fortescue shares than her estranged husband.
The moves may mean her family nickname “the undercover billionaire” no longer applies.
The nickname is partly a nod to Mrs. Forrest’s notorious thrift and partly because she preferred to remain in her husband’s shadow for decades.