The richest people in South Australia have made their fortunes across various sectors such as agriculture, food processing, property, retail, and winemaking. From Adelaide’s real estate moguls to meat processing tycoons and luxury chocolatiers, these individuals and families play a critical role in shaping the region’s economy. As of 2025, here are the top 10 wealthiest people in South Australia, ranked by their estimated net worth in Australian Dollars (AUD) and U.S. Dollars (USD).
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of 984,314 square kilometres (380,046 sq mi),[6] it is the fourth-largest of Australia’s states and territories by area, which includes some of the most arid parts of the continent. With 1.9 million people as of June 2025,[3] it is the 17th-largest subdivision in the world and the fifth-largest in Australasia. It is the second-most highly centralised state in the nation after Western Australia, with more than 67% of South Australians living in the capital Adelaide or its environs. Other population centres in the state are relatively small; with Mount Gambier being the second-largest centre, with a population of 26,878.[7]
South Australia shares borders with all the other mainland states. It is bordered to the west by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory, to the north-east by Queensland, to the east by New South Wales, and to the south-east by Victoria. To the south, its border is the ocean, the Great Australian Bight.[N 1]
The state comprises less than 6.7% of the Australian population and ranks fifth in population among the six states and two territories. The majority of its people reside in greater Metropolitan Adelaide. Most of the remainder are settled in fertile areas along the south-eastern coast and River Murray. The state’s colonial origins are unique in Australia as a freely settled, planned British province,[8] rather than as a convict settlement. Colonial government commenced on 28 December 1836, when the members of the council were sworn in near the Old Gum Tree.[
As with the rest of the continent, the region has a long history of human occupation by numerous groups and languages. The South Australian Company established a temporary settlement at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, on 26 July 1836, five months before Adelaide was founded.[10] The guiding principle behind settlement was that of systematic colonisation, a theory espoused by Edward Gibbon Wakefield that was later employed by the New Zealand Company.[11] The goal was to establish the province as a centre of civilisation for free immigrants, promising civil liberties and religious tolerance. Although its history has been marked by periods of economic hardship, South Australia has remained politically innovative and culturally vibrant. Today, it is known for its fine wine and numerous cultural festivals. The state’s economy is dominated by the agricultural, manufacturing and mining industries.
Top 10 Richest People in South Australia
1. Chris Thomas & Family
- Industry: Meat Processing
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 2.7 billion (~USD 1.8 billion)
- Overview: Owners of Thomas Foods International, Australia’s largest family-owned meat processing company, with global exports and national operations.
2. Shahin Family
- Industry: Retail & Fuel
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 1.48 billion (~USD 1 billion)
- Overview: Founders of Peregrine Corporation and OTR convenience stores, the Shahin family also owns The Bend Motorsport Park and major real estate developments.
3. DiMauro Family
- Industry: Commercial Property
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 1 billion (~USD 670 million)
- Overview: Owners of a vast commercial property portfolio across South Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand.
4. Roger Drake & Family
- Industry: Supermarkets
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 827 million (~USD 550 million)
- Overview: Founders of Drakes Supermarkets, with over 60 stores and annual revenues exceeding AUD 1 billion.
5. Angelopoulos Family
- Industry: Property Investment
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 800 million (~USD 540 million)
- Overview: Owners of the Duke Group of Companies, including landmark commercial real estate holdings in Adelaide.
6. Shaun Bonétt
- Industry: Property Development
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 500 million (~USD 335 million)
- Overview: CEO of Precision Group, managing retail centres and office buildings throughout Australia.
7. Haigh Family
- Industry: Confectionery
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 300 million (~USD 200 million)
- Overview: Founders of Haigh’s Chocolates, a premium national chocolate brand and one of Adelaide’s most iconic businesses.
8. Hardy Family
- Industry: Winemaking
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 250 million (~USD 170 million)
- Overview: Historic winemaking dynasty with operations dating back to 1850. Major influence in McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley.
9. Matthews Family
- Industry: Hospitality
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 200 million (~USD 135 million)
- Overview: Owners of Matthews Hospitality, running pubs and hotels across regional and metropolitan South Australia.
10. Toop Family
- Industry: Real Estate
- Estimated Net Worth: AUD 150 million (~USD 100 million)
- Overview: Founders of Toop & Toop Real Estate, a luxury property agency known for innovation and high-end listings in South Australia.
Conclusion
The richest people in South Australia are key drivers of growth in industries that define the state’s economy—agriculture, retail, property, and manufacturing. Their entrepreneurial achievements and family legacies not only influence South Australia but also reflect the state’s position on the national wealth map. As 2025 unfolds, these figures remain central to the prosperity and progress of the region.
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