Michael Wright

Michael Wright (1937–2012) was an Australian heir and businessman. Principally a grazier, on the death of his father Wright squired a share in Wright Prospecting that had significant iron ore tenements in Western Australia. He was a teetotaller who developed an interest in viticulture and owned a winery.

Early life His grandfather, Canon McClemans, founded Christ Church Grammar School. Wright's elder adopted

Wright was born in Western Australia and attended Christ Church Grammar School. He sat on the Board of Governors at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle.

After a twelve-year legal battle, Wright's sister, Bennett, sold a fifteen per stake in the Rhodes Ridges iron ore deposit to Mitsui & Co for 2 billion; and retained a ten per cent interest in the project which is not expected to produce first ore before 2030.

Prior to his death, Wright and Bennett owned fifteen per cent of Hamersley Iron shares from the Rio Tinto Group; Rinehart owns the other fifty per cent. Wright's interests passed to his daughters, upon his death.

In September 2012, Bennett and Wright's daughters sued Rinehart to recover fifty per cent of 4, 5 and 6 tenements of the Hope Downs mine, named after Rinehart's mother, Hope Hancock. The first hearing was held in 2023.

Personal life Wright's second wife was Jennifer Turner who was the mother to Alexandra Burt, Leonie Baldock, and Myles Wright. He and Turner subsequently divorced and Turner died in 2017. Wright had a relationship out of wedlock with Elizabeth Mead and they conceived a daughter, Olivia Jacqueline, who was raised by Mead and her partner, with Wright paying some child support. Wright's fourth relationship was with Mary Ann Wright who he met in a New Orleans bar. They married and subsequently divorced, without bearing children. Mary Ann Wright sued Burt and Baldock and the executor of his estate. The matter was settled out of court on undisclosed terms. The terms of Wright's will stipulated that Olivia Mead was bequeathed $3 million, which was less than 0.5 per cent of Wright’s fortune at the time of his death. Mead could only access the funds when she was aged 30 years and would lose the money if she ever joined a non-traditional church, was convicted of drink-driving, and other arcane conditions. Consequently, Mead sued Burt and Baldock and the executor claiming that she was entitled to a significant house, luxury items, and cash. The matter was contested in court and Mead was awarded an Australian record sum of $25 million, later reduced to $6.1 million on appeal. Mead received $3 million at the time of the 2015 judgement; with the remaining $3.1 million set aside in a trust fund until she reaches the age of 30 years.

Prior to his death, Wright's net worth was aggregated with that of his sister's.