Super slim billionaire Gina Rinehart cheers on Australia at the Olympics after splashing an estimated $5MILLION to get our teams to Rio

  • Billionaire Gina Rinehart is the patron of four Australian sports 
  • She has joined legions of fans cheering on the country in Rio De Janeiro
  • Trip came as her company hired former politician Sophie Mirabella 
  • Mrs Mirabella will serve as head of government and media relations 

By DANIEL PIOTROWSKI, DEPUTY EDITOR, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Billionaire Gina Rinehart has joined legions of Australian fans cheering on the national squad in Rio De Janeiro.

A trim and tanned Mrs Rinehart has been seen in smiling photographs with her staff at the Games this week.

The West Australian businesswoman has thrown her support behind four of the nation's teams: synchronised swimming, swimming, volleyball and rowing. She is the patron of all four sports.

 

Gina Rinehart is seen at the Rio Games with Tad Watroba, the executive director of Hancock Prospecting

Tad Watroba, Mrs Rinehart and Rio Olympics volunteers

Tad Watroba, Mrs Rinehart and Rio Olympics volunteers

Gina Rinehart and the Rio Olympics security personnel

Gina Rinehart and the Rio Olympics security personnel

All eyes are on Gina Rinehart's recent slimdown in Rio. Rinehart's weight has fluctuated over the years - looking slender and glamorous in the 1990s (left) and at her heaviest in 2011 (right).

The Australian Financial Review estimated her monetary support for the squads at $5 million.

A spokesman for Mrs Rinehart disputed the figure and said: 'It's more accurate to say... the level of support goes beyond money'.

While she has been in Rio, fans have witnessed stellar victories by Australians, including gold medal performances from Mack Horton and Kyle Chalmers.  

Mrs Rinehart's South American sojourn comes after her company announced the hire of former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella. 

Mrs Mirabella will serve as the head of media and government relations for Hancock Prospecting. 

In a statement, the businesswoman said : 'Sophie is not shy of hard work, and we are pleased that she has accepted this new challenging role.' 

Mrs Mirabella said she regarded Mrs Rinehart 'as a great Australian and an outstanding role model'. 

She has also expanded her cattle business, buying two properties in northern Australia - 559,000 hectares in total. 

Mrs Rinehart is pictured with former Olympian Michael Klim at the national swimming championships in April

Mrs Rinehart is pictured with former Olympian Michael Klim at the national swimming championships in April

New head of government and media relations for Hancock Prospecting: Sophie Mirabella

Hancock Propsecting CEO Garry Korte (left) with boss Gina Rinehart (centre) and General Manager of Cattle, Scott Richardson (right). Mrs Reinhart has recently snapped up the 20,000 head feedlot and export yards, Phoenix Park, near Katherine. 'I look forward to working for Mrs Rinehart who I know well', said Sophie Mirabella (far right).

 

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