Hilary Weston tops Ireland’s Rich List after increasing her fortune

The rich just got richer, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, which indicates that the total wealth of the country’s richest 250 people increased by just under €3bn last year.

The Rich List placed Hilary Weston and family in number one position, estimating their worth at almost €8.8bn. The 71-year-old former model was born in Dun Laoghaire and with her husband, Galen, controls a large retail operation in different countries, including Brown Thomas.

In second place is Denis O’Brien, whose wealth is estimated at €4.64bn. His Digicel operation accounts for more than half his wealth, according to the Rich List, which also estimates that his fortune has increased by about €496m in the past year.