Personal life
Gandel is married to Pauline, who in 2019, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her work for the community, in humanitarian, philanthropic and fundraising endeavours, and in social inclusion, as well as in building closer relations between Australia and Japan. [10] Together they have had four children. [11] John and Pauline Gandel live in Toorak, Melbourne. [12]
Gandel was targeted as a possible major donor to Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu before the Likud's primary election in 2007, [13] subsequently won by Netanyahu.
Net worth
Gandel is one of ten individuals listed on every Financial Review Rich List since the first list was published in 1984. [14] [15]
| Year | Financial Review Rich List | Forbes Australia's 50 richest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Net worth A$ bn | Rank | Net worth US$ bn | |
| 2010 [16] | 5 | $2.40 billion  | ||
| 2011 [17] [18] | 9 | $3.45 billion | 6 | $3.30 billion |
| 2012 [6] | 10 | $3.35 billion | 8 | $3.20 billion |
| 2013 [19] [20] | 8 | $3.70 billion | 8 | $3.50 billion |
| 2014 [21] [22] | 9 | $4.08 billion | 8 | $3.20 billion |
| 2015 [23] [24] | 8 | $4.40 billion | 6 | $3.60 billion |
| 2016 [25] [26] | 5 | $5.40 billion | 7 | $3.20 billion |
| 2017 [27] | 7 | $6.05 billion | ||
| 2018 [28] | 7 | $6.45 billion | ||
| 2019 [29] [3] | 10 | $6.60 billion | 8 | $4.00 billion |
| 2020 [30] | 11 | $5.45 billion | ||
| 2021 [14] | 14 | $5.80 billion | ||
| 2022 | 16 | $6.20 billion | ||
| 2023 [2] | 15 | $6.33 billion | ||
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Icon | Description |
| Has not changed from the previous year |
| Has increased from the previous year |
| Has decreased from the previous year |
Philanthropy
Since 1978, Gandel and his wife, Pauline, have headed up Gandel Philanthropy, one of the largest philanthropic family funds in Australia. [31] The foundation provides grants to charitable community organisations for Jewish and Australian causes. [32] Gandel's philanthropy has focused on Judaism, education, medical causes and the arts. In 2010 he donated A$7.5 million to the National Gallery of Australia; [7] A$1 million to fight devastating bushfires in Victoria, recalling how their own home was destroyed by fire twenty years earlier, and A$1 million to Museums Victoria. [31] In May 2006, Gandel was awarded an honorary doctorate of philosophy from Tel Aviv University, the university's highest honor, for his "business standing, broad leadership roles and philanthropic support in Australia and Israel." In the same month Gandel inaugurated the Gandel Institute for Adult Jewish Learning at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. [4] [33]
In 1990, Gandel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to business, commerce and to the community. [34] In 2017, he was appointed a Companion of the Order for his eminent service to the community as a benefactor and supporter of a range of visual arts and cultural institutions, to youth education, medical and biotechnology innovation programs, to business, and to the advancement of philanthropic giving. [1] [12]
