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Stokes
Kerry Stokes
Rank #541
AUSTRALIA•Manufacturing•Construction equipment, media

Kerry Stokes

Net Worth
$7.168B
-0.97% (24h)
Kerry Stokes, born in 1940, is an Australian businessman and philanthropist. His estimated net worth is $12.69 billion as of May 2025. Stokes's wealth stems primarily from his significant stake in Seven Group Holdings (SGH), a diversified conglomerate with interests in construction equipment, media, and energy. His career began in property development before expanding into media and industrial sectors. Stokes is known for his strategic leadership, philanthropy, and contributions to Australian business and culture. He is the chairman of Seven Group Holdings and has been married four times, and has four children.

How to read Kerry Stokes's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Kerry Stokes, we anchor the narrative to Construction equipment and Construction equipment, media, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $7.168B alongside global rank #541, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (AUSTRALIA) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Kerry Matthew Stokes was born John Patrick Alford on September 13, 1940, in Melbourne, Victoria. He was adopted by Matthew and Irene Stokes and grew up in a challenging environment. Stokes left school at 14 and had a difficult upbringing, dropping out of school at the age of 14.

Rise to Success

Stokes's career began in the 1960s with property development in Perth. He later expanded into media and industrial sectors. In 1995, he secured a major stake in the Seven Network. He also developed WesTrac into one of the largest Caterpillar dealers globally. Stokes's success is marked by opportunistic acquisitions and operational turnarounds. In 2024, SGH acquired Boral, a major concrete and asphalt producer, for A$4.4 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Stokes's business acumen includes securing strategic stakes in major companies like Seven Network and diversifying into various sectors. His focus on construction equipment, media, and energy has been key to his wealth. Seven Group Holdings' financial results for the year ending June 30, 2024, showed a revenue of $10.6 billion, up 10%, and an EBIT of $1.4 billion, up 20%.

Philanthropy

Kerry Stokes is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in preserving Australian military heritage. He has donated multiple Victoria Cross medals to the Australian War Memorial and provided the National Gallery of Australia with a $15 million donation in 2024.

Career Timeline

2024

Boral Acquisition

SGH acquired Boral for A$4.4 billion

2007

Coates Hire

Established a collaboration with The Carlyle Group to form Coates Hire Ltd

1995

Acquired Seven Network Stake

Secured a major stake in the Seven Network

1960s-1970s

Property Development

Developed shopping centers in Perth and regional Western Australia

1959

Began career

Installing television antennas in Perth

Philanthropic Impact

Military HeritageUndisclosed

Australian War Memorial

Donated multiple Victoria Cross medals

Arts$15M

National Gallery of Australia

Provided a $15 million donation in 2024

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Seven West Media40.40%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Kerry Matthew Stokes was born John Patrick Alford on September 13, 1940, in Melbourne, Victoria. He was adopted by Matthew and Irene Stokes and grew up in a challenging environment. Stokes left school at 14 and had a difficult upbringing, dropping out of school at the age of 14.

Rise to Success

Stokes's career began in the 1960s with property development in Perth. He later expanded into media and industrial sectors. In 1995, he secured a major stake in the Seven Network. He also developed WesTrac into one of the largest Caterpillar dealers globally. Stokes's success is marked by opportunistic acquisitions and operational turnarounds. In 2024, SGH acquired Boral, a major concrete and asphalt producer, for A$4.4 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Stokes's business acumen includes securing strategic stakes in major companies like Seven Network and diversifying into various sectors. His focus on construction equipment, media, and energy has been key to his wealth. Seven Group Holdings' financial results for the year ending June 30, 2024, showed a revenue of $10.6 billion, up 10%, and an EBIT of $1.4 billion, up 20%.

Philanthropy

Kerry Stokes is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in preserving Australian military heritage. He has donated multiple Victoria Cross medals to the Australian War Memorial and provided the National Gallery of Australia with a $15 million donation in 2024.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Kerry Stokes are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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