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Meet the real Olivia Mead

In a David and Goliath battle, 19 year-old Olivia Mead has won millions from her late father's billion-dollar mining estate.

But the legal battle has cost her dearly and now she is intent on rebuilding her name.

Together with mum Liz, Olivia has taken on one of the wealthiest families in the west — that of her biological father, Michael, the son of mining magnate Peter Wright.

Michael had been married three times when he met Liz and already had three children. After two years together, Liz fell pregnant with Olivia and the relationship fell apart.

"Apparently he met me when I was nine months old." Olivia Mead told reporter Steve Pennells.

"Sometimes I wouldn't see him for six months. At one point, I didn't see him for about a year."

Michael didn’t support Liz and Olivia, but the Perth teenager says she was happy to see him when she had the opportunity.

"Always... He is my dad."

In 2011, Michael Wright was diagnosed with cancer and on 26 April 2012, passed away. He waited months to tell Olivia he was sick.

"I was angry, I was furious that he didn't tell me. And that I had to wait so long to find out. I mean, those months thathe knew that was sick, I could've been spending more time with him."

"I mean, I know they were only three or four months but I'd give anything to have that time with him again"

Her billionaire father had left Olivia a fraction of his estate — a trust fund worth $3 million.

He had left his other children Alexandra Burt, Leonie Baldock and Myles Wright some $400 million.

"And then the will comes. It was like the final kick.

She had to wait until she was 30 to get it and it was highly conditional, she was not to have any criminal offences.

"Extraordinary conditions. I was shocked. I didn't think he would do that."

Olivia and her mum went to battle — they wanted the trust replaced with a $12 million payment, but they weren't prepared for the public scrutiny the trial would bring.

" The hardest thing is they were making her out to be a gold digger or a spoilt child. " Liz said.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued its ruling. Not only did it agree with Olivia's claims, it more than doubled the amount - to $25 million. It was the biggest payout of its kind in Australian legal history.

"I don't think it will change me. I have a set of morals and I know what they are. I know who I am as a person. And I think no matter what people say about me, I know who I am." Olivia said.

"And money, I don't think it will change me."


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