When you think of a cardboard box billionaire, you probably picture someone who inherited a quiet paper mill and quietly grew it. Anthony Pratt turned that mill into a $12.7 billion global recycling empire, moved to the United States after Donald Trump’s election win, and became one of the most politically connected Australian business figures alive.
Net worth: $12.7 billion (Forbes 2025) ·
Age: 65 (born 11 April 1960) ·
Marriages: 2 ·
Children: 3 ·
Title: Executive Chairman of Pratt Industries ·
Nationality: Australian-American
Quick snapshot
- Exact current net worth (fluctuates with commodity prices)
- Full details of first marriage and divorce
- Current religious practice beyond Jewish upbringing
- Nature of Trump relationship beyond meetings and donations
- Details of a reported lunch with Warren Buffett
- Specific degrees from University of Melbourne
- Whether he holds US citizenship
- 1948: Family paper business founded in Melbourne (Wikipedia)
- 2009: Inherited company after father’s death (Fortune)
- 2024: Moved to US after Trump’s reelection (Fortune)
- 2025: Pledged $5 billion US investment at White House (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Continued expansion of US recycling mills
- Potential further political involvement with Trump administration
- Wealth may shift with US manufacturing investment plans
Here are the key biographical facts about Anthony Pratt.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Joseph Pratt |
| Born | 11 April 1960 |
| Occupation | Businessman, Executive Chairman |
| Company | Pratt Industries / Visy Asia-Pacific |
| Net worth | $12.7 billion (2025) |
| Marriages | 2 |
| Children | 3 |
| Religion | Jewish upbringing |
How did Anthony Pratt make his money?
Inheriting the family business
Anthony Pratt inherited Pratt Industries from his father Richard Pratt in 2009. The company was founded in 1948 as a paper-making business in Melbourne, Australia. Under Richard’s leadership, it grew into a major packaging and recycling operation.
Expansion under Pratt/Visy
After taking over, Anthony Pratt expanded aggressively. He is executive chair of Visy, the Australian arm of the family cardboard box business. The company now operates across Asia-Pacific and the United States, focusing on recycled packaging.
US recycling mills
Pratt opened new mills in the US, including a major recycled paper mill in Kentucky. In May 2025, he pledged to invest US$5 billion in American manufacturing during a White House visit with Donald Trump. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and expand his recycling empire.
Pratt’s recycling-first strategy gave him a competitive edge: he was among the first to manufacture cardboard from recycled materials, according to Fortune. That bet paid off as sustainability became a corporate priority.
The implication: Pratt’s wealth is not just inherited — it’s been actively built through strategic geographic expansion and a focus on recycled materials, a sector that continues to grow.
How many times has Anthony Pratt been married?
First marriage
Anthony Pratt has been married twice. Details of his first marriage are not publicly detailed, but it is known that he has a total of three children from his two marriages.
Second marriage
His current spouse is not named in public biographical sources. The couple resides primarily in the United States, where Pratt moved after obtaining permanent residency.
The pattern: Like many ultra-wealthy individuals, Pratt keeps his personal relationships private. What is known — two marriages, three children — comes from official biographical summaries.
Is Anthony Pratt a billionaire?
Forbes billionaire ranking
Yes, Anthony Pratt is a confirmed billionaire. Forbes estimates his net worth at $12.7 billion as of 2025, making him one of the richest people in Australia. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index listed him at $11.3 billion on a recent date, while The Australian Financial Review placed the Pratt family at A$25.19 billion.
Wealth sources
His wealth comes from majority ownership of Pratt Industries and Visy Asia-Pacific. The companies are privately held, so valuations fluctuate. Fortune reported in 2023 that his net worth was $9 billion, but it jumped after Trump’s election win — Pratt became $311 million wealthier the day after the vote, according to Fortune.
The net worth gap between different sources (Forbes vs Bloomberg vs AFR) reflects the difficulty of valuing privately held recycling assets. For investors and analysts, the real story is the trend: Pratt’s wealth has grown significantly since 2023, driven by Trump policy expectations.
The catch: Net worth estimates vary by up to $2 billion depending on the source, because Pratt’s companies are not publicly traded. The $12.7 billion figure is Forbes’ most recent, but it’s not a fixed number.
What religion is Anthony Pratt?
Family background
Anthony Pratt was raised in a Jewish family. His father Richard Pratt was Jewish, and the family’s heritage is well-documented. However, his personal religious affiliation is not publicly detailed.
Personal beliefs
Public records do not indicate active religious practice or affiliation. Pratt’s public persona focuses on business and political ties rather than faith.
The trade-off: While his Jewish upbringing is a known biographical fact, there is no evidence that religion plays a significant role in his current life or business decisions.
How rich is Anthony Pratt?
Net worth breakdown
Anthony Pratt’s net worth is estimated at $12.7 billion by Forbes, but other sources differ. The Australian Financial Review lists the Pratt family at A$25.19 billion, which would be roughly US$16.8 billion at current exchange rates. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows a lower figure of $11.3 billion.
Comparisons
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Pratt was the eighth-wealthiest person in Australia on the 2025 Forbes rich list. His wealth is comparable to other Australian billionaires like Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest. Nick Xenophon: Health, Net Worth, and Political Career also provides context on Australian political figures’ wealth.
What this means: For Australian readers, Pratt’s wealth is in the top tier nationally. The difference between sources matters because it affects his ranking — and because his wealth is tied to the success of his US expansion, which is politically charged.
Who are Anthony Pratt’s children?
Names and ages
Anthony Pratt has three children. Their names are not widely published in mainstream media, though Wikipedia notes that he has children from his marriages. Specific ages are not publicly available.
Roles in family business
At least one of his children is reportedly involved in the family business. Given Pratt’s age (65), succession planning is a natural topic, but no public details exist about a formal transition.
The pattern: Like many billionaire dynasties, the next generation is being prepared for leadership, but the current patriarch remains firmly in control.
Timeline
- 1948: Pratt family founded paper-making business in Melbourne, Australia. (Wikipedia)
- 1960: Anthony Pratt born in Australia. (Wikipedia)
- 1980s: Joined the family business after education. (Wikipedia)
- 2009: Father Richard Pratt dies; Anthony takes over as executive chairman. (Fortune)
- 2010s: Expansion of Pratt Industries into the United States with new mills. (Fortune)
- 2016–2020: Developed relationship with Donald Trump; attended meetings and donated to Republican causes. (Fortune)
- 2024: Moved to the United States after Trump’s reelection. (Fortune)
- 2025: Pledged US$5 billion investment at White House visit; appeared at Met Gala in recycling-themed outfit. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
The timeline shows a steady arc of expansion and increasing political engagement.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth (fluctuates with commodity prices)
- Full details of first marriage and divorce
- Current religious practice beyond Jewish upbringing
- Nature of relationship with Trump beyond meetings and donations
- Names and ages of children
- Details of a reported lunch with Warren Buffett
- Specific degrees from University of Melbourne
- Whether he holds US citizenship
These categories help distinguish well-sourced facts from areas with limited public information.
Quotes
“One of Australia’s wealthiest people” and “heir and billionaire head of recycling and packaging empire Pratt Holdings.”
The Sydney Morning Herald
“Pratt’s net worth stands at $12.7 billion, placing him among the world’s richest.”
Forbes
“Pratt was among the first to manufacture cardboard from recycled materials.”
Fortune
These quotes capture Pratt’s stature as a recycling magnate and political insider.
Anthony Pratt has built a fortune from cardboard and recycling, but his story is also about political influence. He moved to the United States after Trump’s win, invested billions in American manufacturing, and donated millions to Republican causes. For Australian observers watching the intersection of wealth and politics, the question is not whether Pratt will continue to grow his empire — it’s how much further his political ties will take him, and at what cost to his privacy and reputation. Graham Richardson: Labor Senator and CTV Journalist offers another example of Australian public figures navigating politics and influence.
tradersunion.com, smh.com.au, theaustralian.com.au, instagram.com
For a closer look at how he earned his honorary rank and built a global packaging empire, see colonel title and packaging tycoon biography.
Frequently asked questions
What is Anthony Pratt’s educational background?
Anthony Pratt attended Geelong Grammar School in Australia. He later studied at the University of Melbourne, though specific degrees are not publicly detailed.
Where does Anthony Pratt live?
He primarily resides in the United States, having moved there after obtaining permanent residency in 2024. He previously lived in Australia.
Does Anthony Pratt have any siblings?
Yes, he has a sister named Fiona Pratt, but she is not involved in the family business.
What is Pratt Industries?
Pratt Industries is a privately held packaging and recycling company founded by his father. It is the parent company of Visy in Asia-Pacific and operates multiple mills in the US.
How does Anthony Pratt spend his money?
He invests heavily in US manufacturing, donates to political causes (including $10 million to MAGA PAC), and owns a luxury car collection, including a Maybach.
Is Anthony Pratt involved in philanthropy?
Yes, he has donated to arts and education causes, including the Pratt Foundation, which supports cultural institutions in Australia and the US.
What is Anthony Pratt’s relationship with the Australian government?
He has maintained ties with both major parties, but his public support for Trump has drawn criticism from some Australian political figures.
Has Anthony Pratt been involved in any controversies?
Yes, he was reported to have discussed sensitive information about US nuclear submarines at a Mar-a-Lago dinner in 2023, according to Fortune. He has denied any wrongdoing.
These answers address common curiosities about Pratt’s life and business.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.