Betty Klimenko Parents: Meet John Saunders, Eta Saunders

Betty Saunders-Klimenko AM, the esteemed Australian businessperson and motorsport team owner, has a remarkable story that speaks volumes about resilience, determination, and the enduring power of family.

Behind her illustrious career and notable achievements lies a deeply personal journey shaped by the love and support of her parents, John Saunders and Eta Saunders.

Betty’s life began in unconventional circumstances, born as the illegitimate child of a police officer who served in the Vietnam War and Anne Neil, a former Miss West Australia and prostitute.

Her early days were marked by adversity, as she was conceived drug-addicted in a cell at Kings Cross Police Station and abandoned at just seven weeks old in the adoption nursery of Crown Street Women’s Hospital in Sydney.

Despite these challenging beginnings, Betty’s life took a positive turn when she was welcomed into the loving arms of John and Eta Saunders.

John Saunders, a co-founder of the Westfield Group and a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, and his wife Eta, provided Betty with a stable and nurturing environment to thrive.

Adopting Betty into their family, they bestowed upon her the love, care, and opportunities she deserved.

Raised alongside her younger adopted brother, Betty experienced the joys of a supportive family despite her parents’ work commitments, which often required the assistance of nannies.

Betty’s upbringing was a blend of cultures and faiths, reflecting her diverse heritage and family background.

Born Catholic but raised in the Jewish faith by her adoptive parents, Betty embraced the rich tapestry of her identity, drawing strength from her roots and upbringing.

Despite the challenges of reconciling her dual identities, Betty emerged as a resilient and empowered individual, shaped by the values instilled in her by her parents.

Following the passing of her adoptive father in 1997, Betty inherited his fortune, becoming a steward of the family’s property development company, Terrace Tower Group.

Alongside her sister, Betty assumed the role of joint deputy chairperson, carrying on her father’s legacy and guiding the company to continued success.