ONE of Australia’s richest men, Paul Ramsay, is in a serious condition in a European hospital.
The Ramsay Health Care chairman and founder’s admission to hospital was announced to the ASX this morning but no further details were given.
“On behalf of all Ramsay staff and doctors, we express our deep concern for Mr Ramsay,’’ the company said.
“We will keep the market informed of Mr Ramsay’s condition.’’
Mr Ramsay, 78, currently is Australia’s ninth richest person and the 499th richest person in the world with an estimated fortune of $3.57 billion, according to Forbes.
Most of Mr Ramsay’s wealth comes from his 36 per cent stake in Ramsay Health Care, which has more than quadrupled in value since 2009.
Mr Ramsay started the company in 1964 when he purchased a guesthouse on Sydney’s north shore and converted it into a psychiatric hospital.
It was floated in 1997 and now has more than 150 hospitals and clinics across Australia, Europe and Asia.
Mr Ramsay was also chairman of regional broadcaster Prime Media Group for nearly 30 years but stepped down last week after selling his 30 per cent stake in the company.
He also owns a stake in soccer club Sydney FC and was the club’s chairman from 2009 to 2012.
In 2002, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to the community.
Mr Ramsay, who is single and has no children, has maintained a relatively low public profile, but is known for his political and charity donations.
He has been one of the Liberal Party’s biggest benefactors, having donated $615,000 to the party in 2011/12.
He also donated $300,000 to actor Kevin Spacey’s charity in 2011, buying an hour-long game of tennis with the actor and tickets to the closing Sydney performance of his Richard III production.
Source: AAP