Jack Bendat, an Australian businessman, philanthropist, and former owner of the Perth Wildcats, has died.
At the age of 96, the American-born businessman who made his wealth in Western Australia and saved the Wildcats from financial ruin in 2006 has died.
Bendat moved to Perth from California in 1966 and made his first large money creating shopping malls alongside Kerry Stokes, another of the country’s biggest success stories, and developer Kevin Merrifield.
He also dabbled in media ownership, holding a part in Western Australian Newspapers, the publisher of the state’s daily newspaper The West Australian, at various times.
When he developed the Golden West Network in 1986, Bendat launched Australia’s first satellite television station.
Mount Barker’s Goundrey and Fox River estates, which he sold for $62.5 million in 2002, were also among his holdings.
He also had an interest in Ferngrove, a winery.
Last year, the notable businessman amassed a net worth of $704 million after building GWN and Bunbury Plaza with longtime partner Kerry Stokes, eventually developing 11 shopping malls across Western Australia before focusing on philanthropic activities.
Who will inherit Jack Bendat’s $704 million net worth and estate?
It has not been revealed who is going to take over his possessions.
His wife, Eleanor died in 2018. They were the parents of two children. Paul, their son, died in 2017 from cancer.
The identity of the other son is unknown, but he may be the one to take charge of the assets and estates.
