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He's gone from the penthouse to the outhouse, as the saying goes - and now he's got the penthouse in his sights again.
Former bankrupt and convicted fraudster Alan Bond has rejoined the ranks of Australia's wealthiest people, after 19 years in the wilderness.
Eight years after being released from jail, Mr Bond has returned to BRW magazine's Rich 200 list with a ranking of 157 and a fortune of A$265 million built on his overseas mining interests.
He was last on the list in 1989, having previously peaked in 1987 with a fortune of A$400m.
Mr Bond, who was declared bankrupt in 1992, now holds stakes in Madagascar Oil and Lesotho Diamond Corporation, which are at various stages of development.
The Perth-based Bond made his fortune initially in property development and at one time was one of Australia's most prominent businesspeople.
In 1970 he acquired three America's Cup bid yachts from Sir Frank Packer.
He later extended his business interests into other fields including brewing (he controlled Castlemaine and Tooheys breweries), gold mining and television.
Australia's first private university, Bond University, bears his name.
The Rich 200 list, announced today, indicates that gambling and media tycoon James Packer has surrendered the top spot to Fortescue Mining Ltd chief executive Andrew Forrest.
Mr Forrest has amassed a record fortune of $9.41bn, the biggest in the 25 year history of the Rich 200 list.
Mr Packer, chairman of Consolidated Media Holding Ltd, has dropped to third spot from number one, with his estimated wealth falling to A$6.10bn, from A$7.25bn last year.
It is the first time in 20 years that a Packer has not headed the Rich 200 list.
Westfield property empire founder Frank Lowy retained second place on the list, although his fortune dropped slightly to A$6.30bn from A$6.51bn last year.
Australia's richest woman, iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart, fell one place to fifth, even though her fortune increased to A$4.39bn.
Top ten richest Australians,with estimated fortune and area of business:
1. Andrew Forrest, A$9.410bn, mining
2. Frank Lowy, A$6.300bn, shopping centres
3. James Packer, A$6.100bn, media and investment
4. Richard Pratt, A$5.480bn, manufacturing
5. Gina Rinehart, A$4.390bn, mining
6. Harry Triguboff, A$3.250bn, property
7. John Gandel, A$3.210bn, property
8. Kerry Stokes, A$2.760bn, media and retail
9. Shi Zhengrong, A$2.330bn, technology
10.David Hains, A$2.280bn, investment
SOURCE: BRW magazine
