COULDHAVEBEEN
04-28-2009, 10:55 PM
The man who bought Muhammad Ali to Australia in 2000 has died.
Richard Pratt a great Australian (whether you're a Carlton supporter or not - and I hate em') has passed away.
RICHARD Pratt has led life in the thick of the action.(extracted from Herald Sun article by Matthew Schulz - Apr 28, 2009)
The business mogul and poor Polish migrant made good, was also a one-time boxer, would-be Hollywood actor, accomplished footballer and Carlton president, arts administrator, university director and philanthropist.
Dick Pratt’s personal fortune nudges $5.5 billion and his corporate empire spans the globe, employing more than 9000 people.
He was recently named Australia's fourth-richest man and one of the nation’s greatest philanthropists and arts patrons, donating $10 million a year to causes.
Married to arts dynamo Jeanne Pratt, who also has a lengthy resume involving arts and charity works, Mr Pratt was made a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia for his contributions to industry, sport and the arts.
But he handed it back in February last year back after admitting price fixing with rival Amcor which led to a $36 million fine.
In Melbourne, he is well known as the former president of the Carlton Football Club, a post he held in 2007-2008, before standing down amid charges he misled the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
But Mr Pratt’s interests have not been confined to business. The Pratt Foundation also donates an estimated $10 million-a-year to charitable activties.
He was also a useful performer on the field, playing Aussie Rules with Carlton’s seconds – including winning the Morrish medal for best and fairest in 1953.
As an amateur boxer he was less well known, except for an infamous stoush when he broke the nose of ex-Carlton coach and champ Percy Jones.
His boxing interest saw him bring champion Muhammad Ali to Australia in 2000.
Cramming much into his life, Mr Pratt’s capacity for work has been the stuff of legend, with the mogul starting work by 5.30am every day.
Mr Pratt leaves three children Anthony, Heloise and Fiona.
Richard Pratt a great Australian (whether you're a Carlton supporter or not - and I hate em') has passed away.
RICHARD Pratt has led life in the thick of the action.(extracted from Herald Sun article by Matthew Schulz - Apr 28, 2009)
The business mogul and poor Polish migrant made good, was also a one-time boxer, would-be Hollywood actor, accomplished footballer and Carlton president, arts administrator, university director and philanthropist.
Dick Pratt’s personal fortune nudges $5.5 billion and his corporate empire spans the globe, employing more than 9000 people.
He was recently named Australia's fourth-richest man and one of the nation’s greatest philanthropists and arts patrons, donating $10 million a year to causes.
Married to arts dynamo Jeanne Pratt, who also has a lengthy resume involving arts and charity works, Mr Pratt was made a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia for his contributions to industry, sport and the arts.
But he handed it back in February last year back after admitting price fixing with rival Amcor which led to a $36 million fine.
In Melbourne, he is well known as the former president of the Carlton Football Club, a post he held in 2007-2008, before standing down amid charges he misled the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
But Mr Pratt’s interests have not been confined to business. The Pratt Foundation also donates an estimated $10 million-a-year to charitable activties.
He was also a useful performer on the field, playing Aussie Rules with Carlton’s seconds – including winning the Morrish medal for best and fairest in 1953.
As an amateur boxer he was less well known, except for an infamous stoush when he broke the nose of ex-Carlton coach and champ Percy Jones.
His boxing interest saw him bring champion Muhammad Ali to Australia in 2000.
Cramming much into his life, Mr Pratt’s capacity for work has been the stuff of legend, with the mogul starting work by 5.30am every day.
Mr Pratt leaves three children Anthony, Heloise and Fiona.