Bruce Gordon (born 4 February 1929 in Surry Hills, New South Wales[1]) is an Australian businessman. He is the owner of the Australian television network, WIN Television through his ownership of WIN Corporation, the largest shareholder of the Nine Network,[2] and holds a significant stake in Nine Entertainment Co.[3]
From humble beginning, Gordon juggled fruit to lure customers into his father's street-side fruit stall. He continued to hone his magic skills into his 20s and gained his first performance at Sydney's Tivoli circuit theatre; later progressing onto management of the theatre. During this period he got to know Rupert Murdoch, Sir Frank Packer and his sons, Kerry and Clyde, and Bruce Gyngell.[1]
In 1962, Gordon was appointed the Australasian sales executive for Desilu Productions, which was sold to Gulf and Western, which renamed the studio Paramount Television.[1] Gordon worked as a programming executive for Paramount in Hollywood for thirty years.[3]
Gordon gained control of Television Wollongong Transmission Ltd (later rebadged as WIN TV) in 1979 from Murdoch.[4] He then expanded WIN Television's operations during the 1990s, buying out the other shareholders in 1991 after buying two licences in Queensland and Crawford Productions.[1] By the end of the decade WIN had licences and transmitters in all Australian states and mainland territories (except NT).[4]
Gordon holds a 50% share in the NRL St. George Illawarra Dragons club through WIN Corporation.[3]
In September 2014, it was reported that in early August 2024, Gordon retired from the boards of WIN Corporation and private investment firm Birketu as well as 41 private companies associated with businesses owned by him. He will remain Birketu's "ultimate decision maker", while stepping back from daily management at WIN.[5]
Gordon lives in Bermuda with his second wife, Judith, with additional residences in Sydney and Monaco.[1] Gordon has a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Genevieve.[6]
As of May 2023[update], the Australian Financial Review assessed Gordon's net worth at A$1.30 billion.[7] Gordon is one of eleven living Australians who have appeared on every Rich List, since it was first published in 1984.[8][9]