How did Nathan Tinkler make $1 billion?

NATHAN Tinkler is Australia’s youngest billionaire, according to BRW’s Young Rich List.

nathan tinkler

NATHAN Tinkler is Australia's youngest billionaire, according to BRW's Young Rich List.

The Hunter Valley-based Queenslander's wealth sits at $1.13 billion, up from $1.01 billion in May when he was listed on the BRW Rich 200 as one of Australia’s 35 billionaires.

The 35-year-old electrician-turned-mining magnate - who first came to prominence by selling a Monto coal field to Macarthur Coal for shares then parachuting out with $440 million in 2008 - has almost doubled the $610 million fortune which had him ranked first in last year's list.

The public listing of his Aston Resources company in August 2010 - and increases in the value of stock since - has boosted his bank balance by at least $634 million.

The Tinkler Group owns a number of resources, mining and coal companies, as well as sports teams.    

In September last year he bought the Newcastle Jets football club, and in March this year he purchased the Newcastle Knights NRL team. He also owns horseracing and breeding operation Patinack Farm.

Mr Tinkler and his wife, Rebecca, have four children.

He would not respond to questions about his inclusion on the BRW list from news.com.au.

His attitude to journalists could be described as less than positive -- when Fairfax contacted him last year for a story, Mr Tinkler reportedly exploded.

''You're a f---ing deadbeat, people like me don't bother with f---ing you,'' he reportedly said to The Sunday Age. ''You climb out of your bed every morning for your pathetic hundred grand a year, good luck.''