Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen
Brian Cassey
Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen 2025
Portrait of David Glasheen
Digital photographic print
100 x 72 cm
About the Artwork
Millionaire ‘castaway’ David Glasheen, a former successful businessman, lost his massive fortune during the 1987 economic crash. He then ‘dropped out’ to lead a decades-long solitary life on tiny Restoration Island off the coast of northern Australia, living off of coconuts and the fruits of the sea. While alone on the island but receiving planet-wide attention, he penned a worldwide bestselling book Millionaire Castaway. Over the years, he became a good friend of mine. In January 2025, he was forced to leave the island following a heart attack. I made this image following his release from hospital when I found him in the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre. Very sadly, David didn’t fully recover from the heart attack and passed away surrounded by family in Brisbane in July 2025.
About the Artist
Brian Cassey was born in London but has long been based in Australia’s northern tropical city of Cairns. Brian is an experienced freelance photographer/ photojournalist. For several decades, he has been working for numerous Australian and international media, principally covering news, features, and sport around the planet.
Brian’s work has evolved over time and he has now developed a further niche in the discipline of photographic portraiture. His portrait images have been recognised and featured in galleries, exhibitions, and awards around the world. Brian has been a finalist in the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize multiple times.