Palmer calls in specialist Covid doctors, billionaire’s wealth doubles in 12 months

Clive Palmer called in a team of specialist doctors to help recover from Covid-19, declaring he likely “would have died” without their help.

Mining royalties helped Clive Palmer double his wealth in 2021 to an eye-watering $18.35 billion — placing him seventh on the list of Australia’s richest people.

Palmer falls in behind Gina Rinehart ($32bn), Andrew Forrest ($31bn), Anthony Pratt ($27bn), Mike Cannon-Brookes ($26bn), Scott Farquhar ($25.9bn) and Harry Triguboff ($20bn).

The United Australia Party founder made an astonishing $8.59 billion last year, according to The Australian’s list of Australia’s wealthiest people.

Clive Palmer calls in specialist doctors

The jump in wealth was reported as the billionaire revealed he had called in specialist doctors to help recover from Covid-19.

Speaking about the infection, he says he believed he “would have died … without doubt” had he not taken a cocktail of drugs supplied by US doctors for his treatment.

The controversial treatments were administered by a team of specialists who treated former US President Donald Trump when he was infected last year.

Palmer says he received antiviral drugs included the controversial agents ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

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Clive Palmer is seventh on the list of Australia’s wealthiest people. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Clive Palmer is estimated to be spending more than $100 million in advertisements ahead of the Federal Election.

He says the US doctors used Zoom calls with Australian doctors to monitor his progress.

Palmer was rushed to Pindara Hospital after being infected with the Delta variant on February 27. He was unvaccinated and has been vocal in his anti-vaccination stance, including sharing unfounded information about deaths linked to the vaccine.

As news.com.au previously reported, Palmer was accused of spreading misinformation in radio ads that aired in Queensland.

The ads include the following audio: “Australia has had one Covid-19 associated death in 2021. But the TGA reports that there’s been 210 deaths and over 24,000 adverse reactions after Covid vaccinations. Authorised by Clive Palmer, Brisbane.”

The ads are based on publicly-available information from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

But Palmer’s ads omitted the section that declared clearly: “Apart from the single Australian case in which death was linked to TTS (Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome), Covid-19 vaccines have not been found to cause death.”

The Courier Mail reports there were serious concerns about Palmer’s health while he struggled with Covid-19 infection because he was unvaccinated, overweight and aged in his late 60s.

In his first interview since contracting Covid-19, Palmer said he was given the steroid Dexamethasone, which keeps the lungs functioning.

He was told by doctors that he had double pneumonia as well as Covid-19.

Nickel price surges

The 67-year-old benefited from a surging nickel price which jumped again in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

So what does he spend his enormous wealth on? Super yachts, vintage cars and political advertising, among other things.

Speaking to The Australian, Palmer said he has the “world’s biggest collection of vintage cars”.

Clive Palmer's yacht Australia docked in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

People are pictured with Clive Palmer aboard his 40 million dollar super yacht, Australia, on Sydney Harbour. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“They’re in Brisbane. I think the collection is worth about $230m at the moment. For example, we’ve got more than 22 vintage Ferraris, 120 Mercedes, 100 Rolls Royces and Bentleys. We’ve got the world’s only full collection of Rolls Royce Phantoms. We’ve got Bugattis and all these others.

“They’ve been a good investment, and they’re probably up 30-40 per cent during the pandemic. I’d probably get $400m if I sold them, but I won’t, because I’ve been collecting since I was younger.”

In 2013, Palmer opened an automotive museum at his resort in Coolum, Queensland, that included vintage cars such as a 1900 De Dion Bouton four-seater and more recent models, including a 2011 Lotus Elise.

Clive Palmer in front of his collection of Rolls Royce cars, including this 1926 Phantom I model. Photo: Iain Curry / Sunshine Coast Daily

Clive Palmer opens his automotive museum at the at the Palmers Resort Coolum; 2011 Lotus Elise

Clive Palmer opens his automotive museum at the at the Palmers Resort Coolum; 1900 De Dion Bouton 4 seater

It is estimated Palmer’s bill for advertising in the upcoming election will top $100 million alone.

He even had United Australia Party signage on his super yacht parked in Sydney Harbour last month.