Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has joined forces with controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo as he continues his fight to operate in Australia.
Dr Teo was effectively banned from operating in Australia in 2023 after he was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct following an investigation into futile brain surgeries that left two patients unconscious.
Both of his patients ultimately died, including one within 10 days.
On Tuesday, Dr Teo announced Rinehart, who made her $39billion fortune in mining, will be the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the upcoming Charlie Teo Foundation’s Rebel Ball which raises funds for brain cancer research.
‘One of the good things that comes out of being vilified is that you really know who your friends are,’ the 68-year-old told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
‘She did not listen to the rhetoric, she did not listen to the narrative, when all that bad stuff went down, she (said) “Hang on, I know that guy, he’s not that guy,” and she was very supportive.’
Dr Teo added: ‘If you want to meet Australia’s richest person and the world’s poorest neurosurgeon, just come to the ball and you can meet some really interesting people.’
Rinehart, who topped the Australian Financial Review’s 2026 Rich List for the seventh year running, will be in attendance at the ball being held in Sydney on June 20.
Dr Charlie Teo (pictured) was effectively banned from operating in Australia in 2023 after he was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct
Dr Teo described Gina Rinehart as ‘a very good friend and a loyal supporter of the foundation’
Dr Teo recently returned from overseas after his partner Traci Griffiths suffered horrific injuries following a nasty fall at the couple’s home in NSW’s Illawarra region.
Ms Griffiths said his inability to operate in Australia had taken a toll on both his patients and their relationship.
She had spent years refusing to comment on the restrictions Dr Teo must comply with in order to operate in Australia, but ultimately decided to speak out after her own emergency surgery had laid bare the distance between them.
‘I’ve had plenty I’ve wanted to say, but I’ve always chosen not to feed into it or give more wind to something that already has a life of its own,’ she told news.com.au.
‘I’ve stayed behind the scenes, kept my head down, and reminded myself it’s not about me, even though, of course, it still affects me in ways people don’t see.
‘But watching this unfold, and watching what it’s doing to someone I care about deeply, I can’t stay silent in the same way anymore.’
Dr Teo now requires written approval from an independent neurosurgeon with at least 15 years’ experience before operating on recurrent malignant brain tumours and brainstem gliomas in Australia.
That neurosurgeon must be chosen and approved by the Medical Council.
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic is another of Dr Teo’s staunch supporters
Dr Teo’s partner Traci Griffiths recently opened up about the struggles he has been facing
Dr Teo is also required to keep detailed patient logs, including travel information and case details, and submit those records to the Medical Council each month.
Despite the conditions, Australian patients have continued to contact him for help.
Ms Griffiths said it had been difficult to watch the impact on her partner’s reputation and that the ramifications of a permanent ban went far beyond the surgeon himself.
She also warned the restrictions could make other surgeons more cautious when treating complex cases where bold decisions may be required.
The former model began her relationship with Dr Teo after he was already under intense public scrutiny. He operated on Ms Griffiths twice after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011.
