Dr Tony O'Reilly is a billionaire, according to the American business magazine Forbes, which includes him in its new list of the world's 200 richest people. Forbes claims Dr O'Reilly is worth $1.2 billion, though this includes a contribution of $300 million from his second wife, Ms Chryss Goulandris. Dr O'Reilly comes towards the lower end of the list, well behind the Sultan of Brunei, whom Forbes reckons to be worth $38 billion - this makes him the wealthiest man in the world. Among self-made businessmen, like Dr O`Reilly, the richest person on the list is the founder of Microsoft, Mr Bill Gates, at $36.4 billion.
Forbes researchers told The Irish Times yesterday the magazine valued Dr O'Reilly's 1.6 per cent in H.J. Heinz at $277 million at current share prices. Dr O'Reilly is chairman and chief executive of Heinz. Even more valuable is his shareholding in Independent Newspapers, which Forbes claims is worth $310 million and which is the biggest media company in Ireland and South Africa. It is also a significant shareholder in the London Independent.
Forbes says Dr O'Reilly's shares in the crystal/porcelain group, Waterford Wedgwood, are worth $70 million. The value of his shares in the mining and energy company, Arcon, is placed at $90 million. Australian Provincial Newspapers, in which the O'Reilly family has the majority interest, are said to be worth $85 million. The sale of shares in a New Zealand company has netted $20 million for Dr O'Reilly.
His real estate is valued at $20 million, including his main Irish home, Castlemartin, Co Kildare and a holiday retreat at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas.
His hotel interests in Ireland are worth $25 million, according to the magazine. Dr O'Reilly is an investor in Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle and in a golf links and hotel project in Portmarnock, Co Dublin.