Australia’s richest person has rewarded loyal members of staff in her vast business empire with a multimillion-dollar giveaway as she celebrated her birthday on Friday, February 28. Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart gave away dozens of prizes worth nearly £50,000 (A£100,000) to workers as she celebrated her 71^st birthday. The lucky employees, who work in the resources, energy, agriculture and workwear divisions of her vast empire, all worked for the company for more than 10 years.

The prizes were given out at the lavish birthday party, which happened nearly 20 days after Mrs Rinehart's birthday - on February 9. Nearly 500 people did attend the celebration, during which Mrs Rineheart referred to the speech Argentine President Javier Milei delivered at the Conservative Political Action Party (CPAC) last week, which also included his support for the work of Elon Musk in the US.

Mrs Rinehart gave away valuable prizes also at her birthday celebrations in 2023, with winners being drawn from a raffle system to receive the expensive gifts.

That year, 41 prizes were given away, one for every year in which Mrs Rinehart had worked at Hancock Prospecting, where she first began under her father, who served as the private company’s executive chairman.

Fewer were given out this year, although the number of prizes is believed to be “dozens”.

The company also covers what Mrs Rinehart calls a “nasty tax” meaning that recipients of the presents are not left with a hefty tax bill after claiming their winnings.

The company, Hancock iron, prides itself on caring for its employees’ welfare offering incentives and benefits such as flights, healthcare and profit sharing.

Mrs Rinehart has an estimated net worth $29 billion, making her the wealthiest person in Australia with a fortune significantly bigger than second-placed property magnate Harry Triguboff, who has an estimated wealth of $18.8 billion.