Table of Contents
Key Points
- South Africa’s richest man has gained $3.32 billion so far in 2025, fueled by Richemont’s strong stock performance.
- Investor confidence has lifted Richemont’s market value to nearly $110 billion, boosting Rupert’s stake from $9.3 billion to $12.5 billion.
- Richemont reported $16.7 billion in nine-month revenue, with strong growth in Japan, the Americas, and the Middle East offsetting Asia-Pacific weakness.
After adding $2.67 billion to his fortune in January 2025, South Africa’s richest man, Johann Rupert, is continuing his upward climb. His net worth has risen again in February, reaching $17 billion—the highest since Bloomberg began tracking his assets in January 2013.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Rupert, the 74-year-old billionaire and chairman of Richemont, has seen his wealth grow by $3.32 billion since the start of the year. His net worth has jumped from $13.7 billion on Jan. 1 to $17 billion. Richemont, the Swiss-based luxury group behind brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé, has played a key role in this surge.
Rupert’s wealth rises on Richemont gains
At $17 billion, Rupert remains the richest person in South Africa and the second wealthiest in Africa. He ranks 131st among the world’s richest individuals, with his latest wealth boost tied directly to the strong performance of his stake in Richemont.
Rupert owns a 10.18 percent equity stake in Richemont and controls 51 percent of its voting rights through 6.26 million “A” shares and 522 million “B” shares. His influence over the company remains significant as the luxury giant continues to thrive despite economic uncertainty.
Investor confidence in Richemont has pushed its share price up more than 33 percent this year, lifting its market capitalization to nearly $110 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange. As a result, the value of Rupert’s stake has climbed from $9.3 billion to $12.5 billion since the start of the year.
Richemont thrives despite global uncertainty
The surge in Richemont’s stock reflects strong financial results. The company reported record-breaking sales of $16.7 billion for the first nine months of its 2025 fiscal year, marking a 3 percent increase from the same period in 2024. Revenue for the most recent quarter hit $6.33 billion, despite currency fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainty.
Performance varied across regions. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region dropped 15 percent, weighed down by weaker consumer confidence in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. In contrast, Japan saw a 25 percent jump, driven by strong domestic demand and a rebound in tourism. The Americas and the Middle East & Africa each recorded 15 percent growth, while Europe saw a steady 9 percent increase, supported by resilient local spending.
