Table of Contents
Key Points
- Johann Rupert's net worth surged by $1.1 billion in 24 hours, climbing from $13.2 billion to $14.3 billion following market recovery.
- Rupert's wealth boost follows a rebound in Richemont’s stock, fueled by a 6% increase since Monday after Trump paused tariffs.
- Despite fluctuating valuations, Rupert remains South Africa’s wealthiest person and the second-richest in Africa, with a $14.3 billion net worth.
After a setback due to the market turbulence triggered by President Trump’s tariffs, which caused his net worth to drop to $13.2 billion, South Africa's richest man, Johann Rupert, has experienced a remarkable recovery. In less than 24 hours, his net worth surged by $1.1 billion.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Rupert's net worth climbed from $13.2 billion at market open on Thursday to $14.3 billion by the time this report was drafted, reflecting a dramatic rebound.
From loss to gain: $1.1 billion turnaround
This recovery follows a period of decline, with Rupert’s net worth dropping from a personal high of $17 billion on Mar. 4 to $13.2 billion, his lowest since December 2024. The $1.1 billion increase has pushed his year-to-date wealth gain to $632 million, a turnaround from the $470 million loss he was facing at the start of Thursday's trading session.
With a net worth of $14.3 billion, Rupert remains the richest person in South Africa and the second-wealthiest in Africa, ranking 149th globally on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. However, Forbes has a slightly different estimate, valuing his fortune at $12 billion and placing him 192nd worldwide.
Rupert’s stake in Richemont boosts wealth
Rupert’s recent wealth boost is closely linked to his 10.18 percent stake in Richemont, the luxury group known for brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé. Through a combination of “A” and “B” shares, he controls 51 percent of the company's voting rights.
Richemont's share price has risen over 6 percent since Monday, following President Trump's unexpected announcement on Wednesday of a three-month pause on most of the tariffs that had been imposed earlier, with the exception of those on China.
This move gave global markets a much-needed lift, with Wall Street, along with European and Asian markets, showing strong gains. As a result, Richemont’s market value shot back above $80 billion, raising the value of Rupert's stake from $9.3 billion to $10.4 billion.
