Twiggy Forrest reveals the real reason he and his wife Nicola split
Twiggy Forrest reveals the real reason why he and his wife Nicola split up
Mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has broken his silence over his shocking break-up with wife Nicola, insisting it was for the best for all involved and that the pair would remain friends.
Australia’s richest couple rocked the business world in July when they announced their 31-year marriage had ended and the couple were leading separate lives.
The executive chairman of the Fortescue Metals Group first opened up about the split at a trading forum in Perth on Wednesday.
It comes days after he hosted a star-studded bash for 700 guests in Western Australia’s Pilbara Desert to celebrate his mining company’s 20th anniversary.
His estranged wife was not present at the lavish event, but sent a video message in her first public statement since the divorce.
Mr. Forrest has finally publicly commented on the marriage breakup.
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest says he’s still ‘good friends’ with his estranged wife Nicola (pictured in happier times in New York)
“Nic and I are good friends, we talk all the time she is a wonderful lady,” Mr Forrest shared Nine news.
‘We have made the appeal that it is better for everyone if we do not live next to each other, but still absolutely support each other.’
The couple insists this will not affect the direction of their mining empire or philanthropic interests.
Mr. Forrest was asked what assurances he could give to shareholders that the former couple’s new arrangement would have no impact on the company.
His estranged wife is now Fortescue’s largest shareholder.
‘I reassure them completely. Nic and I are aware of that,” Mr. Forrest added.
“We are fully committed to Fortescue, to Tattarang, all the objectives of Mindaroo, we are fully united.”
Mr. Forrest also spoke of the shock departure of Fiona Hick, CEO of the Fortescue Metals Group, just six months after taking office.
Ms Hick announced Monday the “joint decision” with the company’s board of directors to leave the company.
“Fiona had a choice to make and she chose, so I would say she wasn’t pressured,” Mr Forrest said.
Andrew Forrest (second from right) and his wife Nicola (right) were married for 31 years
The mining magnate insists he and his estranged wife still support each other
The mining tycoon and his wife confirmed their divorce in July after being approached about a transaction that transferred more than $1.1 billion in Fortescue stock to the new company Coaxial Ventures, which was wholly owned by Ms. Forrest.
The former couple has three adult daughters.
“After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to separate. Our friendship and devotion to our family remain strong,” the couple said in a joint statement.
The couple’s wealth is largely amassed through their 36 percent stake in the iron ore mine Fortescue Metals Group, which they founded in 2003.
They jointly oversee their private investment arm, Tattarang, and they also co-founded and continue to co-chair their philanthropic venture Minderoo Foundation, which addresses a range of issues from modern day slavery to plastic pollution.
“We will continue our shared mission to create and donate our wealth to address community and global challenges, as recently demonstrated by last month’s donation of one-fifth of our Fortescue share to the Minderoo Foundation.”
Days later, it was revealed that Mr. Forrest’s company was investigating allegations that he had a secret relationship with an employee.
The investigation concluded that the allegations were baseless.
Andrew Forrests says he and Nicola remain fully united in terms of business interests