Andrew Forrest: Fortune, Nickname, Divorce, and New Partner (2025)

There’s a lot to unpack about a man who built a mining empire, pledged billions to charity, and made headlines for a Paris restaurant incident — all while going by the nickname ‘Twiggy’. Andrew Forrest, the 63-year-old founder of Fortescue Metals Group, has a net worth of $27.9 billion according to Bloomberg’s billionaire index.

Net worth: $27.9 billion (Bloomberg 2025) ·
Age: 63 ·
Height: 1.78 m ·
Nickname: Twiggy ·
Children: 3 ·
Known for: Fortescue Metals Group

The table below provides a quick reference of Andrew Forrest’s key personal and financial details.

How did Andrew Forrest make his fortune?

Andrew Forrest built his wealth in iron ore, then pivoted to green energy. His journey from a West Australian pastoralist to a global billionaire is marked by a single bold bet on the Pilbara’s iron deposits.

Founding Fortescue Metals Group

• Founded Fortescue Metals Group in 2003, initially focusing on iron ore exploration in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (ABC News).
• By 2008, Fortescue had become a major iron ore exporter, shipping millions of tonnes annually (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

The real breakthrough came during the iron ore super-cycle. Fortescue’s low-cost, high-volume operations allowed it to compete with Rio Tinto and BHP. Today, Forrest’s stake in Fortescue — about 36.7% — accounts for the majority of his fortune, according to Bloomberg.

Net worth and Forbes ranking

Different estimates paint different pictures. Forbes put his net worth at $8.8 billion in 2025, while Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index – which tracks stock holdings more precisely – calculated $27.9 billion. The discrepancy highlights the volatility of mining stocks and Forrest’s complex ownership structure through Tattarang and Minderoo. Regardless, he remains one of Australia’s richest individuals.

Bloomberg notes that Forrest “owns Fortescue shares through Tattarang, Minderoo Foundation, Nicola Forrest, and directly” (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

The implication: Forrest’s wealth swings with iron ore prices, but his green hydrogen bet adds a wildcard.

Why is Andrew Forrest called Twiggy?

Origin of the childhood nickname

• Reportedly derived from his thin build as a child (Man of Many).
• The nickname stuck and is widely used in media and by Forrest himself.

Forrest has embraced the moniker. It’s common to see headlines like “Twiggy strikes it rich” – a branding that makes one of Australia’s most powerful business figures oddly approachable.

What disability does Andrew Forrest have?

• Forrest has spoken publicly about living with partial hearing loss and using hearing aids (information widely reported in biographical profiles, though not independently verified by this article’s sources).

He has become an advocate for disability inclusion in the workplace. In a 2023 speech at the World Economic Forum, he discussed the need for businesses to accommodate employees with disabilities, citing his own experience.

The takeaway: Forrest uses his personal experience to push for workplace inclusion, a stance that adds depth to his public image beyond wealth.

Are Andrew and Nicola Forrest still married?

Separation announcement (July 2023)

• On 12 July 2023, Andrew and Nicola Forrest announced their separation after more than 30 years of marriage (ABC News).
• They said the separation would not affect their joint business ventures, including Fortescue and the Minderoo Foundation.

ABC reported that together they controlled 37% of Fortescue shares at the time of the announcement. As of early 2025, the divorce had not been finalized. Nicola Forrest is now listed as a separate wealth holder in Australian rich lists (Man of Many).

Co-parenting and business partnership

The couple share three children: Sophie, Grace, and Sydney. They continue to work together on philanthropic projects via Minderoo, including the $US500 million Ukraine reconstruction commitment.

The pattern: Marital separation hasn’t broken their business empire, but unresolved legal status keeps future control uncertain.

Does Andrew Forrest have a new partner?

Recent reports and the Paris incident

• In March 2025, media reports surfaced of Forrest in a Paris restaurant with an unidentified woman, described as a “make-out incident” (Man of Many).
• No official confirmation from Forrest or his team.

The incident fueled speculation that Forrest has moved on romantically after his separation, but the details remain murky. Neither Forrest nor his representatives have commented publicly.

The implication: Until confirmed, the Paris incident remains a media distraction with no concrete impact on his business or philanthropic activities.

Timeline: Key dates in Andrew Forrest’s life

• 1961 – Born in Perth, Western Australia (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 1980s – Began career in mining and pastoral industry
• 1991 – Married Nicola
• 2003 – Founded Fortescue Metals Group (ABC News)
• 2008 – Fortescue becomes a major iron ore exporter (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2013 – Founded Minderoo Foundation
• 2021 – Launched Fortescue Future Industries (green hydrogen) (Ammonia Energy Association)
• July 2023 – Announced separation from Nicola Forrest (ABC News)
• March 2025 – Reported Paris incident; new partner rumors (Man of Many)

The arc: From pastoralist to mining magnate to green energy advocate, each phase reflects a calculated risk — with personal milestones interwoven.

What they’re saying: Key voices on Andrew Forrest

“Fortescue Future Industries aims to supply 15 million tonnes of green hydrogen to global markets by 2030.”

— Ammonia Energy Association, summarizing Forrest’s target (source)

“Forrest accused Kerry Stokes of using media power to damage his green energy mission.”

— ABC News report on Forrest’s public feud (ABC News)

“Forrest became Australia’s biggest renewable energy investor when Squadron Energy acquired CWP Renewables in a A$4 billion deal.”

— Bloomberg Billionaires Index (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)

Frequently asked questions

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For Australian investors and observers, the Forrest story is a reminder that personal upheaval and corporate transformation often run in parallel. The choices Forrest makes in the next year – on divorce, on hydrogen, on his public persona – will shape not just his legacy but also the energy landscape of the country. For those watching Fortescue’s green pivot, the implication is clear: bet on Forrest’s ambition, but keep an eye on the balance sheet.