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{{Short description|Filipino-born Australian socialite (born 1948)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Rose Porteous
| name = Rose Porteous
| birth_name = Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson y Ledesma
| birth_name = Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|10|26|df=y}}<br>[[Bacolod City]], [[Negros Occidental]], [[Philippines]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|10|26|df=y}}<br>[[Bacolod]], [[Negros Occidental]], Philippines
| nationality = Australian
| residence = [[Mosman Park, Western Australia]]<br>[[Dalkeith, Western Australia]]<br>[[South Yarra, Victoria]]<br>[[Miami, Florida]]<br>[[Ottawa, Canada]]<br>[[Manila, Philippines]]
| other_names = Rose Teodoro, Rose Kuan, Rose Hancock
| occupation = [[Hairdresser]] <small>(formerly)</small><br>[[Flight attendant]] <small>(formerly)</small><br>[[Model (person)|Model]] <small>(retired)</small><br>[[Maid|Housekeeper]] <small>(formerly)</small><br>[[Businesswoman]] <small>(formerly)</small><br>[[Real Estate|Real Estate Agent]] <small>(retired)</small><br>[[Socialite]]<br>[[Consultant|Beauty Consultant]] & [[Dermatology|Dermatologist]]
| occupation = {{unbulleted list|Hairdresser|Flight attendant|Model|Maid|Businesswoman|Real estate agent|Socialite|[[Consultant|Beauty consultant]]}}
| parents = Nicolas Lacson y Ledesma <br>Amparo Lacson
| spouse = {{plainlist|
⚫
| relations = General [[Aniceto Lacson]] {{small|(paternal grandfather)}}<br>[[Arsenio Lacson]] {{small|(maternal uncle, paternal cousin once removed)}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Julian Teodoro<br>|1971|1980|reason={{abbr|div.|divorced}}}}<br>{{marriage|Patrick Kuan <br>|1983|1985|reason={{abbr|div.|divorced}}}}<br>{{marriage|[[Lang Hancock]]<br>|1985|1992|reason={{abbr|wid.|widowed}}}}<br/>{{marriage|[[William Porteous]]<br>|1992}}
* {{marriage|Julian Teodoro|1971|1980|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Patrick Kuan|1983|1985|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Lang Hancock]]|1985|1992|reason=died}}
* {{marriage|[[William Porteous]]|1992|2012|reason=divorced}}
}}
⚫
| relations = {{unbulleted list|[[Aniceto Lacson]] (paternal grandfather)|[[Arsenio Lacson]] (maternal uncle, paternal cousin once removed)}}
| children = ''with Teodoro;''<br>Johanna Teodoro<br>''with Kuan;''<br>none<br>''with Hancock;''<br>[[Lang Hancock|Hilda Kickett]] {{small|(stepdaughter)}}<br>[[Gina Rinehart]] {{small|(stepdaughter)}}<br>''with Porteous;''<br>Olivia Porteous {{small|(stepdaughter)}}<br>William Porteous {{small|(stepson)}}
}}
}}
'''Rose Porteous''' (née '''Lacson y Ledesma''', formerly '''Teodoro''', '''Kuan''' and '''Hancock''', born '''Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson''', 26 October 1948), a Filipino-born Australian, is best known for her marriage to [[Lang Hancock]], a [[Western Australia]] [[iron ore]] [[business magnate|mining magnate]], and the protracted legal battle with her step-daughter, [[Gina Rinehart]], over the circumstances that led to the death of Hancock, and the distribution of his estate.<ref name="Wainwright, Robert">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441302945.html |title=The Rose and Gina show ain't over |author=Wainwright, Robert |date=27 April 2002 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref> The action, commenced by Rinehart in 1992, was eventually settled in 2003 following a [[coronial inquiry]] that determined Hancock died of natural causes.<ref name=Age-timeline>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441296313.html |title=Timeline: Events in the war between Rose and Gina |agency=AAP |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Grimm, Nick">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s953986.htm |title=Hancock heirs settle inheritance dispute |work=PM (ABC Radio) |location=Australia |date=25 September 2003 |author=Grimm, Nick |format=transcript |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref> Porteous, who lives in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] and [[Melbourne, Victoria|Melbourne]], [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], is often referred to by the media as a [[socialite]].
'''Rose Porteous''' (born '''Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson''' on 26 October 1948), a [[Filipino Australians|Filipino-born Australian]] socialite, is best known for her marriage to [[Western Australia]] iron ore [[business magnate|mining magnate]] [[Lang Hancock]], and the protracted legal battle with his daughter, [[Gina Rinehart]], over the circumstances that led to his death, and the distribution of his estate.<ref name="Wainwright, Robert">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441302945.html |title=The Rose and Gina show ain't over |author=Wainwright, Robert |date=27 April 2002 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref> The action, commenced by Rinehart in 1992, was eventually settled in 2003 following a [[coronial inquiry]] that determined Hancock died of natural causes.<ref name=Age-timeline>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441296313.html |title=Timeline: Events in the war between Rose and Gina |agency=AAP |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Grimm, Nick">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s953986.htm |title=Hancock heirs settle inheritance dispute |work=PM (ABC Radio) |location=Australia |date=25 September 2003 |author=Grimm, Nick |format=transcript |accessdate=10 September 2011 }}</ref> Porteous, who lives in [[Perth]] and [[Melbourne]], is often referred to by the media as a socialite.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born in [[Bacolod City]], [[Negros Occidental]], [[Philippines]], Porteous is the daughter of Nicolas Lacson and Amparo Lacson. Her grandfather, General [[Aniceto Lacson]], was a prominent military figure in Negros Occidental during the [[Philippine Revolution]] while her uncle, [[Arsenio Lacson]], was the first elected mayor of [[Manila]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Wainwright, Robert |title=Rose: The Unauthorised Biography of Rose Hancock Porteous |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=2003 |isbn=1-86508-934-6 |location=Sydney |page=24}}</ref>
Born in [[Bacolod]], [[Negros Occidental]], [[Philippines]], Porteous is the daughter of Nicolas [[Lacson]] and Amparo Lacson. Her grandfather, [[ Aniceto Lacson|Gen. Aniceto Lacson]], is a distinguished sugar baron who was also prominent military figure in Negros Occidental during the [[Philippine Revolution]] while her uncle, [[Arsenio Lacson]], was the first elected mayor of [[Manila]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Wainwright, Robert |title=Rose: The Unauthorised Biography of Rose Hancock Porteous |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=2003 |isbn=1-86508-934-6 |location=Sydney |page=24}}</ref> Her brother, Salvador, is the chairman of LLIBI Inc., a leading firm since 1973.


After spending time in Hong Kong, Spain, Singapore and Malaysia,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/13/1039656215196.html |title=Book review: A fascination of riches |author=Costello, Chris |date=14 December 2002 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> Porteous arrived in Australia by a man that she was having relationship with
After spending time in Hong Kong, Spain, Singapore and Malaysia,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/13/1039656215196.html |title=Book review: A fascination of riches |author=Costello, Chris |date=14 December 2002 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> Porteous arrived in Australia in 1983 on a three-month [[Visa (document)|working visa]]. Porteous began working as a [[Housekeeper (domestic worker)|maid]] for the newly widowed Hancock.<ref name="Age-timeline"/>
in 1983 on a three-month [[Visa (document)|working visa]]. Porteous began working as a [[Housekeeper (domestic worker)|maid]] for the newly widowed Hancock.<ref name="Age-timeline"/>


===Marriage to Hancock===
===Marriage to Hancock===
[[File:Prix d'Amour.jpg|thumb|right|Prix d'Amour, during its demolition in early 2006.]]
[[File:Prix d'Amour.jpg|thumb|right|Prix d'Amour, during its demolition in early 2006.]]
Hancock and Porteous became romantically involved over the course of Porteous' employment and they were wed on 6 July 1985,<ref name=Age-timeline/> in [[Sydney]]. Porteous, who was thirty-nine years younger than her husband, was often accused of gold digging because of their [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|age disparity]], as well as being unfaithful and promiscuous. These perceptions were heightened by her habit of flirting with other men. She was known to introduce a number of men as "my future husband" while still married to Hancock. As Porteous later stated: "I have been accused of sleeping with every man in Australia ... I would have been a very busy woman."<ref name="age-quotes">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441296445.html |title=Quotes from the inquest |agency=AAP |work=[[The Age]] |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}</ref> Gina Rinehart, who stood to inherit his entire estate, did not attend the wedding.
Hancock and Porteous became involved over the course of Porteous' employment and they were wed on 6 July 1985,<ref name=Age-timeline/> in [[Sydney]]. Porteous, who was thirty-nine years younger than her husband, was often accused of gold digging because of their [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|age disparity]]. As Porteous later stated: "I have been accused of sleeping with every man in Australia ... I would have been a very busy woman."<ref name="age-quotes">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441296445.html |title=Quotes from the inquest |agency=AAP |work=[[The Age]] |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}</ref> Gina Rinehart, who stood to inherit his entire estate, did not attend the wedding.


Although the marriage would later prove tumultuous, early on Hancock was clearly infatuated with his young wife. He gave her money and investments in [[real estate]] in the Sydney area. Porteous, in turn, helped Hancock to look and act like a much younger man, belying his eight decades. As ''[[The Age]]'' put it, "Rose made Lang feel younger, sprucing up his wardrobe, dying his hair and getting rid of his cane".<ref name="age-marriedboss">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441295711.html |title=The maid who married the boss |agency=AAP |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}</ref> Together they built the "Prix d'Amour", a lavish 16-block mansion overlooking the [[Swan River (Western Australia)|Swan River]]. The mansion, which was modelled after [[Tara (plantation)|Tara]], the plantation mansion in the movie ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'', was the setting for many large parties at which Hancock and Porteous would "dance into the night".<ref name="age-marriedboss"/>
Although the marriage would later prove tumultuous, early on Hancock was clearly infatuated with his young wife. He gave her money and investments in real estate in the Sydney area. Porteous, in turn, helped Hancock to look and act like a much younger man, belying his eight decades. As ''[[The Age]]'' put it, "Rose made Lang feel younger, sprucing up his wardrobe, dying his hair and getting rid of his cane".<ref name="age-marriedboss">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/26/1019441295711.html |title=The maid who married the boss |agency=AAP |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2011}}</ref> Together they built the "Prix d'Amour", a lavish 16-block mansion overlooking the [[Swan River (Western Australia)|Swan River]]. The mansion, which was modelled after [[Tara (plantation)|Tara]], the plantation mansion in the movie ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'', was the setting for many large parties at which Hancock and Porteous would "dance into the night".<ref name="age-marriedboss"/>


As the marriage wore on, however, the relationship between Hancock and Porteous began to break down. Rumours surfaced of her having disputes with servants and others close to Hancock, especially Rinehart, and as Hancock's health worsened, so did his relationship with Porteous. Rinehart would later claim that Hancock's bride had paid little attention to his worsening health, but had instead "screeched at him for money".<ref name="age-marriedboss"/> Although there were many quarrels, Hancock and Porteous remained married until his death in 1992.<ref name=Age-timeline/>
As the marriage wore on, however, the relationship between Hancock and Porteous began to break down. Rumours surfaced of her having disputes with servants and others close to Hancock, especially Rinehart, and as Hancock's health worsened, so did his relationship with Porteous. Rinehart would later claim that Hancock's bride had paid little attention to his worsening health, but had instead "screeched at him for money".<ref name="age-marriedboss"/> Although there were many quarrels, Hancock and Porteous remained married until his death in 1992.<ref name=Age-timeline/>


===Legal action relating to the death of Hancock===
===Legal action relating to the death of Hancock===
Porteous rose to prominence in the 1990s as the central figure in a series of [[lawsuit]]s launched by her step-daughter, Gina Rinehart. Rinehart is the daughter of Lang Hancock and Hope Margaret Nicholas, Hancock's second wife. On 25 June 1992, less than three months after Hancock's death, Porteous married for the third time, to Hancock's long-time friend [[William Porteous]].<ref name=Age-timeline/> Rinehart was indignant at the haste with which her stepmother had remarried.
Porteous rose to prominence in the 1990s as the central figure in a series of [[lawsuit]]s launched by her step-daughter, Gina Rinehart. Rinehart is the daughter of Lang Hancock and Hope Margaret Nicholas, Hancock's second wife. On 25 June 1992, less than three months after Hancock's death, Porteous married for the fourth time, to Hancock's long-time friend [[William Porteous]].<ref name=Age-timeline/> Rinehart was indignant at the haste with which her stepmother had remarried.


Central to Rinehart's lawsuits were the accusations that Porteous married Hancock only for his fortune and alleged that her stepmother's actions had contributed to her father's death. According to his daughter, the death was "unexpected" and came "despite strong will to live".<ref name="chronology">{{cite web|url=http://www.hancockprospecting.com.au/lgh%20achievements.pdf |format=PDF |title=Lang Hancock Chronology: 50 Years Commemoration |publisher=Hancock Prospecting |accessdate=5 September 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050616170435/http://hancockprospecting.com.au/lgh%20achievements.pdf |archivedate=16 June 2005 }} </ref> An autopsy showed that he had died of [[arteriosclerosis|arteriosclerotic]] [[cardiovascular disease|heart disease]] and police investigation revealed no evidence to contradict that.<ref name="Age-timeline" /> However, Hancock's daughter insisted that her stepmother had unnaturally hastened his death. Two successive state coroners refused to allow an inquest, but one was eventually granted in 1999 under the direction of [[Attorney-General of Western Australia|WA Attorney-General]], Peter Foss.<ref name="Age-timeline" />
Central to Rinehart's lawsuits were the accusations that Porteous married Hancock only for his fortune and alleged that her stepmother's actions had contributed to her father's death. According to his daughter, the death was "unexpected" and came "despite strong will to live".<ref name="chronology">{{cite web|url=http://www.hancockprospecting.com.au/lgh%20achievements.pdf |title=Lang Hancock Chronology: 50 Years Commemoration |publisher=Hancock Prospecting |accessdate=5 September 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050616170435/http://hancockprospecting.com.au/lgh%20achievements.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2005 }}</ref> An autopsy showed that he had died of [[arteriosclerosis|arteriosclerotic]] [[cardiovascular disease|heart disease]] and police investigation revealed no evidence to contradict that.<ref name="Age-timeline" /> However, Hancock's daughter insisted that her stepmother had unnaturally hastened his death. Two successive state coroners refused to allow an inquest, but one was eventually granted in 1999 under the direction of [[Attorney-General of Western Australia|WA Attorney-General]], Peter Foss.<ref name="Age-timeline" />


After preliminary hearings during 2000, the inquest began in April 2001 with an initial estimate of 63 witnesses to be called over five weeks.<ref name=Age-timeline/> The inquest was dominated by claims that Porteous had literally nagged Hancock to death with shrill tantrums and arguments. Porteous denied the allegations, famously explaining: "For anyone else it would be a tantrum, for me it's just raising my voice."<ref name="age-quotes"/> In the last few days of Hancock's life, Porteous had attempted to pressure him into changing his [[will (legal)|will]] and Hancock eventually took out a restraining order against her.<ref>{{cite news |title=Test of Wills |author=McGeough, Paul |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 October 1995 |accessdate= }}</ref> The inquest was put on hold after allegations that Rinehart had paid witnesses to appear and that some had lied in their testimony.<ref name="abc-finalchapter">{{cite news |title=Lang Hancock – final chapter |author=Weber, David |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=22 May 2003 |accessdate= }}</ref> It resumed three months later with a smaller witness list and ended with the finding that Hancock had died of natural causes and not as a result of Porteous' behaviour.<ref name=Age-timeline/>
After preliminary hearings during 2000, the inquest began in April 2001 with an initial estimate of 63 witnesses to be called over five weeks.<ref name=Age-timeline/> The inquest was dominated by claims that Porteous had literally nagged Hancock to death with shrill tantrums and arguments. Porteous denied the allegations, famously explaining: "For anyone else it would be a tantrum, for me it's just raising my voice."<ref name="age-quotes"/> In the last few days of Hancock's life, Porteous had attempted to pressure him into changing his [[will (legal)|will]] and Hancock eventually took out a restraining order against her.<ref>{{cite news |title=Test of Wills |author=McGeough, Paul |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 October 1995 }}</ref> The inquest was put on hold after allegations that Rinehart had paid witnesses to appear and that some had lied in their testimony.<ref name="abc-finalchapter">{{cite news |title=Lang Hancock – final chapter |author=Weber, David |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=22 May 2003 }}</ref> It resumed three months later with a smaller witness list and ended with the finding that Hancock had died of natural causes and not as a result of Porteous' behaviour.<ref name=Age-timeline/>


With a legal bill of A$2.7m,<ref name="Wainwright, Robert"/> Rose and William Porteous commenced action against Rinehart, that was eventually settled out of court in 2003.<ref name="Grimm, Nick"/> A few months later, Porteous was revealed as one of several Australian celebrities promoting the [[SPC Ardmona]] brand of canned chopped tomatoes with the slogan, ''Rich and Thick''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/thick-rich-rose-reveals-sense-of-humour.aspx |title=Thick, rich Rose reveals sense of humour |date=12 August 2002 |work=B&T |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> A short-lived one-off reality TV show titled ''Rose'' followed in November 2002.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ligerakis, Maria |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/rich-rose-loyal-to-her-thick-tomato-brand.aspx |title=Rich Rose loyal to her thick tomato brand |date=8 November 2002 |work=B&T |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> During 2005 it was reported that Porteous was being sued in excess of [[Australian dollar|A$]]14 million by Melbourne-based law firm [[Slater & Gordon]] in unpaid legal fees. It was reported that the unpaid fees came from court cases and legal actions in which Slater and Gordon represented Porteous, including the 2001 inquiry into the death of Hancock, and the long-running court battle with Rinehart, over his A$400 million-plus estate. It was reported that Porteous defaulted on two monthly payments to the legal firm of A$25,000 each.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/lawyers-sue-socialite-for-14m-in-fees/2005/06/27/1119724578907.html |title=Lawyers sue socialite for $14m in fees |author=Hughes, Gary |date=28 June 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> The dispute was lodged in the [[Victorian Supreme Court]] and Porteous unsuccessfully sought to have the matter heard in Western Australia, also claiming that she signed legal agreements in 2005, under [[duress]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/porteous-loses-bid-to-transfer-case/2005/10/03/1128191647695.html |title=Porteous loses bid to transfer case |author=Gregory, Peter |date=3 October 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> The matter was settled in November, with Porteous agreeing to pay the law firm A$13.25 million by 31 December 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/porteous-agrees-to-pay-13m-legal-bill/2005/11/25/1132703376871.html |title=Porteous agrees to pay $13m legal bill |author=Gregory, Peter |date=26 November 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref>
With a legal bill of A$2.7m,<ref name="Wainwright, Robert"/> Rose and William Porteous commenced action against Rinehart, that was eventually settled out of court in 2003.<ref name="Grimm, Nick"/> A few months later, Porteous was revealed as one of several Australian celebrities promoting the [[SPC Ardmona]] brand of canned chopped tomatoes with the slogan, ''Rich and Thick''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/thick-rich-rose-reveals-sense-of-humour.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719031149/http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/thick-rich-rose-reveals-sense-of-humour.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=Thick, rich Rose reveals sense of humour |date=12 August 2002 |work=B&T |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> A short-lived one-off reality TV show titled ''Rose'' followed in November 2002.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ligerakis, Maria |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/rich-rose-loyal-to-her-thick-tomato-brand.aspx |title=Rich Rose loyal to her thick tomato brand |date=8 November 2002 |work=B&T |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230124156/http://www.bandt.com.au/content/articles/rich-rose-loyal-to-her-thick-tomato-brand.aspx |archive-date=30 December 2012 }}</ref> During 2005 it was reported that Porteous was being sued in excess of [[Australian dollar|A$]]14&nbsp;million by Melbourne-based law firm [[Slater & Gordon]] in unpaid legal fees. It was reported that the unpaid fees came from court cases and legal actions in which Slater and Gordon represented Porteous, including the 2001 inquiry into the death of Hancock, and the long-running court battle with Rinehart, over his A$400&nbsp;million-plus estate. It was reported that Porteous defaulted on two monthly payments to the legal firm of A$25,000 each.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/lawyers-sue-socialite-for-14m-in-fees/2005/06/27/1119724578907.html |title=Lawyers sue socialite for $14m in fees |author=Hughes, Gary |date=28 June 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> The dispute was lodged in the [[Victorian Supreme Court]] and Porteous unsuccessfully sought to have the matter heard in Western Australia, also claiming that she signed legal agreements in 2005, under [[duress]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/porteous-loses-bid-to-transfer-case/2005/10/03/1128191647695.html |title=Porteous loses bid to transfer case |author=Gregory, Peter |date=3 October 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> The matter was settled in November, with Porteous agreeing to pay the law firm A$13.25&nbsp;million by 31 December 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/porteous-agrees-to-pay-13m-legal-bill/2005/11/25/1132703376871.html |title=Porteous agrees to pay $13m legal bill |author=Gregory, Peter |date=26 November 2005 |work=The Age |location=Australia |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref>


===Wealth===
===Wealth===
The wealth of Porteous is unknown. In 2007 it was reported that she sold two adjoining penthouses in [[Toorak, Victoria|Toorak]], Melbourne over six months for an estimated A$9 million, a profit of A$4 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.realestatesource.com.au/rose-porteous-sells-luxury-toorak-penthouse.html |title=Rose Porteous sells luxury Toorak penthouse |author=Pallisco, Marc |date=29 July 2007 |work=Real Estate Source |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> In March 2006, Porteous commissioned the demolition of her Perth mansion "Prix d'Amour", built with Hancock in 1990 for an estimated cost of A$7 million. The 17-room landmark mansion featured French doors and windows, parquetry and marble floors and wrought iron. The estate, set on 8,100 square metres featured the main house, two guest houses, a tennis court and two swimming pools. The property was then subdivided into ten approximately 800 m<sup>2</sup> lots (each with maximised views) which were put on the market for around A$5 million. In 2008–2009, two of these blocks were resold for a profit of A$1.5 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Roses-love-shack-gets-the-axe/2005/02/25/1109180088032.html |title=Rose's love shack gets the axe |agency=AAP |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 February 2005 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/how-to-downsize-your-home-in-the-style-of-rose-porteous/2006/03/25/1143084045400.html |title=How to downsize your home in the style of Rose Porteous |author=Kappelle, Liza |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 March 2006 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6230401/new-mansions-on-the-block/ |work=The West Australian |title=New mansions on The Block |author=Campbell, Kate |date=17 October 2009 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref>
The wealth of Porteous is unknown. In 2007 it was reported that she sold two adjoining penthouses in [[Toorak, Victoria|Toorak]], Melbourne over six months for an estimated A$9&nbsp;million, a profit of A$4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.realestatesource.com.au/rose-porteous-sells-luxury-toorak-penthouse.html |title=Rose Porteous sells luxury Toorak penthouse |author=Pallisco, Marc |date=29 July 2007 |work=Real Estate Source |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> In March 2006, Porteous commissioned the demolition of her Perth mansion "Prix d'Amour", built with Hancock in 1990 for an estimated cost of A$7&nbsp;million. The 17-room landmark mansion featured French doors and windows, parquetry and marble floors and wrought iron. The estate, set on {{cvt|8,100|m2}} featured the main house, two guest houses, a tennis court and two swimming pools. The property was then subdivided into ten approximately {{cvt|800|m2|adj=on}} lots (each with maximised views) which were put on the market for around A$5&nbsp;million. In 2008–2009, two of these blocks were resold for a profit of A$1.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Roses-love-shack-gets-the-axe/2005/02/25/1109180088032.html |title=Rose's love shack gets the axe |agency=AAP |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 February 2005 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/how-to-downsize-your-home-in-the-style-of-rose-porteous/2006/03/25/1143084045400.html |title=How to downsize your home in the style of Rose Porteous |author=Kappelle, Liza |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 March 2006 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6230401/new-mansions-on-the-block/ |work=The West Australian |title=New mansions on The Block |author=Campbell, Kate |date=17 October 2009 |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref>

===Current===
Celebrating her 60th birthday in 2008, Porteous was planning a low-key affair for 60 guests at her [[Claremont, Western Australia|Claremont]] house. Claiming that Porteous now lives a reclusive existence, in 2008 it was reported that musician Paul Dion has written a [[musical theatre|musical]] based on the life of Porteous, and he was seeking financial backers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.watoday.com.au/lifestyle/our-rose-celebrates-60-years-20081016-5270.html |title=Our Rose celebrates 60 years |author=Pepper, Dailie |date=17 October 2008 |work=WA Today |accessdate=11 September 2011 }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 48: Line 49:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s892175.htm Porteous] on ''[[Enough Rope]]''
*[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s892175.htm Porteous] on ''[[Enough Rope]]''
*{{imdb name|359443|Rose Hancock-Porteous}}
*{{imdb name|359443}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:People from Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:People from Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:Australian people of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:Filipino domestic workers]]
[[Category:People from Bacolod]]
[[Category:People from Bacolod]]
[[Category:Australian socialites]]
[[Category:Australian socialites]]
[[Category:Lang Hancock family]]

Latest revision as of 04:33, 30 August 2024

Rose Porteous
Born
Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson

(1948-10-26) 26 October 1948 (age 76)
Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines
NationalityAustralian
Other namesRose Teodoro, Rose Kuan, Rose Hancock
Occupations
  • Hairdresser
  • Flight attendant
  • Model
  • Maid
  • Businesswoman
  • Real estate agent
  • Socialite
  • Beauty consultant
Spouses
Julian Teodoro
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1980)​
Patrick Kuan
​
​
(m. 1983; div. 1985)​
​
​
(m. 1985; died 1992)​
​
​
(m. 1992; div. 2012)​
Relatives

Rose Porteous (born Rosario Magdalena Teresita Lacson on 26 October 1948), a Filipino-born Australian socialite, is best known for her marriage to Western Australia iron ore mining magnate Lang Hancock, and the protracted legal battle with his daughter, Gina Rinehart, over the circumstances that led to his death, and the distribution of his estate.[1] The action, commenced by Rinehart in 1992, was eventually settled in 2003 following a coronial inquiry that determined Hancock died of natural causes.[2][3] Porteous, who lives in Perth and Melbourne, is often referred to by the media as a socialite.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Porteous is the daughter of Nicolas Lacson and Amparo Lacson. Her grandfather, Gen. Aniceto Lacson, is a distinguished sugar baron who was also prominent military figure in Negros Occidental during the Philippine Revolution while her uncle, Arsenio Lacson, was the first elected mayor of Manila.[4] Her brother, Salvador, is the chairman of LLIBI Inc., a leading firm since 1973.

After spending time in Hong Kong, Spain, Singapore and Malaysia,[5] Porteous arrived in Australia in 1983 on a three-month working visa. Porteous began working as a maid for the newly widowed Hancock.[2]

Marriage to Hancock

[edit]
Prix d'Amour, during its demolition in early 2006.

Hancock and Porteous became involved over the course of Porteous' employment and they were wed on 6 July 1985,[2] in Sydney. Porteous, who was thirty-nine years younger than her husband, was often accused of gold digging because of their age disparity. As Porteous later stated: "I have been accused of sleeping with every man in Australia ... I would have been a very busy woman."[6] Gina Rinehart, who stood to inherit his entire estate, did not attend the wedding.

Although the marriage would later prove tumultuous, early on Hancock was clearly infatuated with his young wife. He gave her money and investments in real estate in the Sydney area. Porteous, in turn, helped Hancock to look and act like a much younger man, belying his eight decades. As The Age put it, "Rose made Lang feel younger, sprucing up his wardrobe, dying his hair and getting rid of his cane".[7] Together they built the "Prix d'Amour", a lavish 16-block mansion overlooking the Swan River. The mansion, which was modelled after Tara, the plantation mansion in the movie Gone with the Wind, was the setting for many large parties at which Hancock and Porteous would "dance into the night".[7]

As the marriage wore on, however, the relationship between Hancock and Porteous began to break down. Rumours surfaced of her having disputes with servants and others close to Hancock, especially Rinehart, and as Hancock's health worsened, so did his relationship with Porteous. Rinehart would later claim that Hancock's bride had paid little attention to his worsening health, but had instead "screeched at him for money".[7] Although there were many quarrels, Hancock and Porteous remained married until his death in 1992.[2]

[edit]

Porteous rose to prominence in the 1990s as the central figure in a series of lawsuits launched by her step-daughter, Gina Rinehart. Rinehart is the daughter of Lang Hancock and Hope Margaret Nicholas, Hancock's second wife. On 25 June 1992, less than three months after Hancock's death, Porteous married for the fourth time, to Hancock's long-time friend William Porteous.[2] Rinehart was indignant at the haste with which her stepmother had remarried.

Central to Rinehart's lawsuits were the accusations that Porteous married Hancock only for his fortune and alleged that her stepmother's actions had contributed to her father's death. According to his daughter, the death was "unexpected" and came "despite strong will to live".[8] An autopsy showed that he had died of arteriosclerotic heart disease and police investigation revealed no evidence to contradict that.[2] However, Hancock's daughter insisted that her stepmother had unnaturally hastened his death. Two successive state coroners refused to allow an inquest, but one was eventually granted in 1999 under the direction of WA Attorney-General, Peter Foss.[2]

After preliminary hearings during 2000, the inquest began in April 2001 with an initial estimate of 63 witnesses to be called over five weeks.[2] The inquest was dominated by claims that Porteous had literally nagged Hancock to death with shrill tantrums and arguments. Porteous denied the allegations, famously explaining: "For anyone else it would be a tantrum, for me it's just raising my voice."[6] In the last few days of Hancock's life, Porteous had attempted to pressure him into changing his will and Hancock eventually took out a restraining order against her.[9] The inquest was put on hold after allegations that Rinehart had paid witnesses to appear and that some had lied in their testimony.[10] It resumed three months later with a smaller witness list and ended with the finding that Hancock had died of natural causes and not as a result of Porteous' behaviour.[2]

With a legal bill of A$2.7m,[1] Rose and William Porteous commenced action against Rinehart, that was eventually settled out of court in 2003.[3] A few months later, Porteous was revealed as one of several Australian celebrities promoting the SPC Ardmona brand of canned chopped tomatoes with the slogan, Rich and Thick.[11] A short-lived one-off reality TV show titled Rose followed in November 2002.[12] During 2005 it was reported that Porteous was being sued in excess of A$14 million by Melbourne-based law firm Slater & Gordon in unpaid legal fees. It was reported that the unpaid fees came from court cases and legal actions in which Slater and Gordon represented Porteous, including the 2001 inquiry into the death of Hancock, and the long-running court battle with Rinehart, over his A$400 million-plus estate. It was reported that Porteous defaulted on two monthly payments to the legal firm of A$25,000 each.[13] The dispute was lodged in the Victorian Supreme Court and Porteous unsuccessfully sought to have the matter heard in Western Australia, also claiming that she signed legal agreements in 2005, under duress.[14] The matter was settled in November, with Porteous agreeing to pay the law firm A$13.25 million by 31 December 2005.[15]

Wealth

[edit]

The wealth of Porteous is unknown. In 2007 it was reported that she sold two adjoining penthouses in Toorak, Melbourne over six months for an estimated A$9 million, a profit of A$4 million.[16] In March 2006, Porteous commissioned the demolition of her Perth mansion "Prix d'Amour", built with Hancock in 1990 for an estimated cost of A$7 million. The 17-room landmark mansion featured French doors and windows, parquetry and marble floors and wrought iron. The estate, set on 8,100 m2 (87,000 sq ft) featured the main house, two guest houses, a tennis court and two swimming pools. The property was then subdivided into ten approximately 800 m2 (8,600 sq ft) lots (each with maximised views) which were put on the market for around A$5 million. In 2008–2009, two of these blocks were resold for a profit of A$1.5 million.[17][18][19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Wainwright, Robert (27 April 2002). "The Rose and Gina show ain't over". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Timeline: Events in the war between Rose and Gina". The Age. Australia. AAP. 26 April 2002. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  3. ^ a b Grimm, Nick (25 September 2003). "Hancock heirs settle inheritance dispute" (transcript). PM (ABC Radio). Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. ^ Wainwright, Robert (2003). Rose: The Unauthorised Biography of Rose Hancock Porteous. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. p. 24. ISBN 1-86508-934-6.
  5. ^ Costello, Chris (14 December 2002). "Book review: A fascination of riches". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Quotes from the inquest". The Age. Australia. AAP. 26 April 2002. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b c "The maid who married the boss". The Age. Australia. AAP. 26 April 2002. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Lang Hancock Chronology: 50 Years Commemoration" (PDF). Hancock Prospecting. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2005.
  9. ^ McGeough, Paul (28 October 1995). "Test of Wills". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ^ Weber, David (22 May 2003). "Lang Hancock – final chapter". ABC News. Australia.
  11. ^ "Thick, rich Rose reveals sense of humour". B&T. Australia. 12 August 2002. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  12. ^ Ligerakis, Maria (8 November 2002). "Rich Rose loyal to her thick tomato brand". B&T. Australia. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  13. ^ Hughes, Gary (28 June 2005). "Lawyers sue socialite for $14m in fees". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  14. ^ Gregory, Peter (3 October 2005). "Porteous loses bid to transfer case". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  15. ^ Gregory, Peter (26 November 2005). "Porteous agrees to pay $13m legal bill". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  16. ^ Pallisco, Marc (29 July 2007). "Rose Porteous sells luxury Toorak penthouse". Real Estate Source. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  17. ^ "Rose's love shack gets the axe". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 25 February 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  18. ^ Kappelle, Liza (26 March 2006). "How to downsize your home in the style of Rose Porteous". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  19. ^ Campbell, Kate (17 October 2009). "New mansions on The Block". The West Australian. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
[edit]
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