Nicola Forrest

Nicola Forrest (; born in 1960 or 1961) is an Australian philanthropist. She co-founded the philanthropic Minderoo Foundation, is co-owner of investment company Tattarang with Andrew Forrest, and the founder of the Coaxial Foundation and Coaxial Ventures.

Life and career Forrest was born Nicola Maurice in . Her parents were farmer Tony Maurice and artist Brooke Maurice. She has two older sisters and a younger brother. Her family raised sheep and cattle and grew wheat. She went to a one-room, one-teacher primary school. They founded the Minderoo Foundation in 2001.

In 2008, Forrest was a delegate of the Australia 2020 Summit, helping shape the country's strategy on Indigenous Australia. Forrest sat on the board of arts event organiser Sculpture by the Sea from 2008 to 2010 and is a life governor of the organisation. She was also a member of the Black Swan State Theatre Company board and its chair from 2018 to 2021. Forrest is a patron of Impact100 WA, which aims to facilitate and increase philanthropy, and Rock Art Australia (formerly Kimberley Foundation Australia) which funds research and preservation of Aboriginal rock art. She is also a member of the Global Philanthropic Circle and the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership. In 2017, they donated $400 million to the Minderoo Foundation followed by another $520 million in 2020. In 2023, they donated $5 billion worth of Fortescue shares to the foundation, the largest single charitable donation in Australian history. In October 2024, the Forrests stepped down as co-chairs of the Minderoo Foundation but retained their board seats.

In 2023, Forrest established Coaxial which consists of entities including the non-profit Coaxial Foundation and the Coaxial Ventures business arm. The Coaxial Foundation's mission is focused on early childhood education, community wellbeing and promoting gender equality. The foundation's initial project—Project Oasis—will seek to improve access to high quality early learning in areas with poor access to childcare. Coaxial Ventures will focus on business ventures and investments that can complement and help fund Forrest's philanthropic goals. Philippa Watson was named the inaugural chief executive of Coaxial in March 2025. The Fremantle Trades Hall was purchased in April 2026 for use as the organisation's headquarters and as a community space.

Personal life Nicola met Andrew Forrest in 1988 at his mother's housewarming party and they married in 1991. Their third daughter was stillborn in 1998.

She is a Christian.

Year Financial ReviewRich List ForbesAustralia's 50 Richest Rank Net worth Rank Net worth 2024 $16.92 billion 2025 $12.83 billion 2026 $17.32 billion Legend Icon DescriptionHas not changed from the previous yearHas increased from the previous yearHas decreased from the previous year

Awards and honours In 2014, Forrest received the Western Australian of the Year Community Award. In 2015, the University of Canberra awarded Forrest with the Chancellor's Award for Service and Philanthropy. In 2018, the Western Australian Museum named Forrest a fellow in recognition of her support of the museum. In 2019, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the general division as part of the Queen's Birthday 2019 Honours recognition for her "distinguished service to the community through philanthropic support for education and the arts, to business and to the community".