Leonard Ainsworth
Leonard Hasting "Len" Ainsworth AM (born 1923) is an Australian businessman, most widely known for founding Aristocrat Leisure, one of the world's largest gambling-machine companies. He founded the company in 1953, and remained active until 1994; and later founded Ainsworth Gaming Technology, and was an executive director until 2019.[3]
Len Ainsworth | |
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Born | Leonard Hasting Ainsworth 1922 or 1923 (age 97–99)[1] Kempsey, NSW |
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1953–2021 |
Known for | Aristocrat Leisure |
Notable work | Innumerable undisclosed |
Net worth | |
Children | 7 |
Career
Ainsworth inherited a small business from his father and began making poker machines to boost revenues for his dental supplies and equipment manufacturing venture. This side-line quickly grew, and Aristocrat Leisure was born in 1953. Today, it is one of the world's largest manufacturers of slot machines and online gaming entertainment.[4]
Following a 1984 diagnosis of prostate cancer, Ainsworth sold Aristocrat, giving significant funds to his family, several members of which continue the tradition of philanthropy.[4] Following a clear diagnosis, Ainsworth initially retired and then established Ainsworth Gaming Technology, a manufacturer of up to about 35 per cent of Australia’s gambling machines.[4] Ainsworth sold his majority stake in Ainsworth Gaming Technology to Novomatic for A$473 million, when he was aged 94 years.[1][5][6]
Personal life
Ainsworth has 7 sons, 5 to his first wife Betty and later 2 to his second wife Margurette. In 2018, Ainsworth was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his impact on business and manufacturing as well as his service to the community through philanthropic contributions.[7]
Ainsworth has donated to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, UNSW, St Vincent’s Private Hospital and the Children's Medical Research Institute, the University of Wollongong,[4] and the University of New South Wales.[8] He has been awarded two honorary doctorates, the first by the University of NSW and most recently in 2019 by the University of Wollongong.[4] Ainsworth signed The Giving Pledge in March 2017.[1]
Net worth
In 2019 Ainsworth was ranked 42nd on the Forbes list of 50 wealthiest Australians, with an estimated net worth of US$900 million.[3]
Year | Financial Review Rich List |
Forbes Australia's 50 Richest | ||
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Rank | Net worth (A$) | Rank | Net worth (US$) | |
2015[9] | 24 | $1.20 billion | ||
2016[10] | 33 | $0.76 billion | ||
2017[11][12][13] | 11 | $3.07 billion | ||
2018[14] | 14 | $4.02 billion | 31 | |
2019[15][1] | 17 | $4.01 billion | 42 | $0.90 billion |
2020[2] | 18 | $4.42 billion |
Legend | |
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Icon | Description |
Has not changed from the previous year | |
Has increased from the previous year | |
Has decreased from the previous year |
References
- "2019 Australia's 50 Richest". Forbes Asia. January 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (30 October 2020). "The full list: Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Nine Publishing. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- "Len Ainsworth". Forbes.
- "Len Ainsworth AM: Honorary Doctor of Science". University of Wollongong. n.d. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- "Australia's pokies king Len Ainsworth reflects on 70 years in the business". ABC News. Australia. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- Kruger, Colin (30 November 2016). "Len Ainsworth's family have billion reasons to thank Aristocrat boss Jamie Odell". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- Kruger, Colin (10 June 2018). "Len Ainsworth honoured for poker machines and philanthropy". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- "Gaming billionaire Ainsworth donates millions to UNSW". Australian Financial Review. 11 April 2014.
- "2015 Australia's 50 Richest". Forbes Asia. March 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- "Gina Rinehart Loses Her No. 1 Spot". Forbes Asia. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2017). "Financial Review Rich List 2017". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- Mayne, Stephen (26 May 2017). "Mayne's take: The top 25 Australian billionaires, as claimed by Fairfax". Crikey. Private Media. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "Australia's Richest 2017: Country's Wealthiest Continue Mining For Dollars". Forbes Asia. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2018). "2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- Bailey, Michael (30 May 2019). "Australia's 200 richest people revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Nine Publishing. Retrieved 31 May 2019.