Blair Parry-Okeden (born 1950) is an American-born[2] Australian billionaire heiress and philanthropist. According to Forbes Asia, she was Australia's richest person by net worth in 2016.[3] Parry-Okeden's wealth derives from Cox Enterprises.
Blair Parry-Okeden | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1950 (age 73–74) |
| Education | La Pietra: Hawaii School for Girls |
| Known for | Heiress, Cox Enterprises |
| Spouse | Simon Parry-Okeden (divorced)[1] |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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Early life
editParry-Okeden was born in 1950 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and educated there at La Pietra: Hawaii School for Girls, which was founded by her mother, Barbara Cox Anthony. She then studied to become a teacher.[1]
Parry-Okeden's grandfather James M. Cox founded the privately held media company Cox Enterprises. Her brother James C. Kennedy is the chairman, and her aunt, Anne Cox Chambers, is the largest shareholder and sits on the board. In 2007, following the death of her mother, Parry-Okeden inherited 25% of Cox Enterprises. She currently has no role at the company.[4]
Wealth
editParry-Okeden first came to prominence in Australia in March 2009 when Forbes Asia assessed her net worth at A$7.0 billion.[1] In January 2016, her net worth was assessed by Forbes at US$9.8 billion;[5] and in 2019 her wealth was estimated at US$9.3 billion; however, she no longer appeared on the list of Australians by net worth due to her US citizenship.[2] She has given money to the Shore School, the University of Hawaii's Center on Aging,[6] the Scone Grammar School, and Strathearn Village, a non-profit aged-care centre.[1]
Personal life
editParry-Okeden has two sons, Andrew and Henry, with her ex-husband Simon Parry-Okeden.[1] She lives in Australia, having moved there from the US in the 1970s to live with her husband at the time.[7][1]
Published works
edit- Parry-Okeden, Blair; Maree, Noella, (illustrator.) (1989). Down by the gate. Hillarys, W.A.: Bello Books. ISBN 978-0-9588904-2-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[note a]
Notes
edit- ^[note a] Down by the gate is a children's book about an advertisement that Mother Goose placed in a newspaper.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Jensen, Erik (13 March 2009). "A quiet American is Australia's richest person". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Billionaires 2019: #153 Blair Parry-Okeden". Forbes. 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Gina Rinehart gives way to Blair Parry-Okeden as Australia's wealthiest person". Guardian Australia. 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Australia's secret billionaire adds $US500 million to her fortune in 12 months". SmartCompany. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Blair Parry-Okeden". Forbes - Australia's richest. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Damien (29 January 2016). "The reclusive heiress who is the richest Australian". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ "Gina Rinehart toppled as Australia's richest". New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
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