13 people who fascinated us in 2025

2 months ago 13

“I’m someone who’s been through a lot of therapy.”

‘Gigantic joy’: Melinda French Gates on her new life after divorce

She left her billionaire husband to blaze her own philanthropic trail. Now she wants other women to revel in their independence.

April 12, 2025
by Amanda Hooton

“I didn’t know how to talk about art or defend myself.”

Fantauzzo’s new gallery – and the hidden work Asher Keddie calls ‘heartbreaking’

He’s received plaudits – and brickbats – for his photorealistic paintings, but Vincent Fantauzzo has a new mission: “To Jamie Oliver the art world”.

June 5, 2025
by Konrad Marshall

Inside Sussan Ley’s battle to hold on to the hardest job in politics

After the Liberal Party’s worst ever election result, Sussan Ley took on the hardest job in politics as party leader. Six months on, she’s struggling, not only with policy and personality divisions, but with what on earth the party stands for in 2025.

November 8, 2025
by Gay Alcorn

Adam Gilmour, co-founder & CEO at Gilmour Space Technologies south of Brisbane.

Adam wants to live on the moon – and he’s spending millions to get there

In a Gold Coast factory, former banker and gymnast Adam Gilmour is working on a rocket design that could take a slice of Elon Musk’s SpaceX business.

November 22, 2025
by Liam Mannix

Antonia Marran says taking on her father’s work is a “sacred responsibility” for her.

Antony Kidman’s work was pioneering. Now his daughter is stepping up

Antonia Marran has become the keeper of her father’s legacy: his pioneering work in adolescent and youth mental health.

October 17, 2025
by Jordan Baker

“I just look at them as someone whose system needs to be rebooted.”

Never say die: A controversial Harvard-based Aussie’s hunt for the fountain of youth

Is a longevity pill on the horizon? Harvard Medical School professor David Sinclair certainly thinks so – while staring down his growing army of critics.