Nathan Kirsh Net Worth

Nathan Kirsh holds the notable spot on the wealth ranking with an impressive net worth of $5.8 billion.

Kirsh has strategically diversified his wealth across various sectors and investments, contributing to his substantial financial success.

Nathan Kirsh Information

Nathan “Natie” Kirsh, born on January 6, 1932, is a distinguished South African billionaire known for his prowess in both business and philanthropy.

At the helm of the Kirsh Group, he commands a majority stake in Jetro Holdings, a notable cash and carry operation in New York state.

Jetro Holdings, in turn, is the proprietor of well-known entities such as Restaurant Depot and Jetro Cash & Carry.

The Kirsh Group’s influence extends globally with strategic equity and investments in various countries, including Australia, Eswatini (Swaziland), the UK, the US, and Israel.

While residing in Eswatini, Natie Kirsh also holds residency in the United Kingdom and the United States.

As of April 2022, Forbes estimated Natie Kirsh’s wealth at an impressive $5.3 billion.

His financial success has been acknowledged internationally, earning him a place on the UK’s Sunday Times Rich List in 2018.

Furthermore, Forbes recognized him as the wealthiest individual in Eswatini, highlighting his significant impact on the economic landscape of the region.

Explore the remarkable journey of Natie Kirsh, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose ventures span continents and industries, leaving an indelible mark on the global business landscape.

Early life and education

Nathan “Natie” Kirsh was born on January 6, 1932, to Jewish parents who had immigrated to South Africa from Lithuania.

Growing up in Potchefstroom, he matriculated from Potchefstroom Boys High in 1949.

Despite the historical context, Kirsh experienced little antisemitism in Potchefstroom, describing it as a “very comfortable and good environment to grow up in.” During his youth, he actively participated in the Labor Zionist movement Habonim Dror.

In 1952, Kirsh earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Recognizing his contributions, the University of Swaziland awarded him an honorary doctorate.

Kirsh’s educational background laid the foundation for his future success as a businessman and philanthropist.

Career

In 1952, Nathan “Natie” Kirsh initiated his journey in business by assisting his mother in managing his father’s original malt factory in Potchefstroom.

In 1958, he embarked on his own entrepreneurial venture, establishing a corn milling and malt business in Eswatini.

Returning to South Africa in 1968, Kirsh made significant strides in 1970 by acquiring Moshal Gevisser, a South African wholesale food distributor incorporating a pilot cash and carry program.

Navigating the challenges posed by the apartheid government’s restrictions, Kirsh utilized Moshal Gevisser to supply goods to black shopkeepers.

Operating as a cash and carry business, Moshal Gevisser became a dominant food retailer in South Africa.

In June 1976, Kirsh expanded his reach internationally by founding Jetro, a cash and carry store in Brooklyn, New York.

The acquisition of Restaurant Depot in 1994 marked another milestone, with the two operating as sister businesses under Jetro Holdings.

Despite a failed attempt at a minority share acquisition by Warren Buffett in 2003, Kirsh retained a 75 percent ownership of Jetro Holdings, which boasted approximately 115 Jetro Cash & Carry and Restaurant Depot stores in the United States as of August 2018.

Kirsh’s business endeavors extended beyond the food industry. In the late 1970s, he acquired Magal Security Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries, listing the company on Nasdaq in 1993.

Kirsh’s involvement with Magal Security faced controversy in 2009 due to its provision of fences in Israel. In 2014, Kirsh sold his 40 percent stake in Magal to FIMI.

Having left South Africa in 1986 after selling a substantial portion of Kirsh Industries to Sanlam, Kirsh remained engaged in various ventures.

His companies, including Mira Mag and Ki Corporation, showcased his diverse interests.

Through Kifin Limited, a part of Ki Corporation, he held a stake in Minerva by 2008.

By early 2018, Kirsh continued to hold retail and property interests in Britain, the United States, Australia, and Eswatini, solidifying his standing as a global entrepreneur with a wide-ranging impact.

Personal life

Nathan “Natie” Kirsh is married to Frances Herr, and together, they have three children – one son, Philip Kirsh, and two daughters.

The family resides in Ezulwini, Eswatini, where Kirsh holds citizenship. Despite keeping kosher dietary practices, Kirsh does not identify himself as religious.

In addition to his family ties, Kirsh is connected to his brother, Issie, who founded Radio 702 and Primedia.

This familial link underscores the Kirsh family’s notable contributions in various fields, both in business and media.

Philanthropy

Nathan “Natie” Kirsh has made significant philanthropic contributions through the establishment of the Kirsh Foundation, an international charitable organization.

One of the foundation’s primary focuses has been on supporting Eswatini, where Kirsh has financed small business startups and facilitated computer education in high schools.

Between 2001 and 2016, the foundation funded 14,000 startups, achieving an impressive 70% success rate.

Notable projects include a microfinance venture in collaboration with Swazi chiefs, providing affordable loans and financial literacy training to Swazi women.

By 2015, approximately 20,000 people were employed by small-scale businesses initiated by the fund.

In 2021, Kirsh funded a mission for the humanitarian NGO IsraAID, supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Swaziland.

In recent years, the Kirsh Foundation has extended its efforts to Israel, focusing on financing business startups and promoting computer education in high schools and yeshivas.

Through the Natan fund, 700 startups were financed by 2016, boasting an 85% success rate.

The Kirsh family also made a noteworthy $10 million donation to the Jerusalem Arts Campus, supporting institutions like the Nisan Nativ Acting Studio, the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, and the School of Visual Theater, along with the Center for Middle Eastern Music.

Additionally, the foundation has supported initiatives such as the Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership, endorsing world-leading research jointly undertaken by scientists in Britain and Israel.

Nathan Kirsh is a supporter of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a think tank dedicated to promoting and securing the Jewish people and Israel.

His foundation has also spearheaded Shine A Light, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about modern antisemitism through education, community partnerships, workplace engagement, and advocacy in the United States.

Endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, Shine A Light emphasizes the importance of combating antisemitism in various spheres.

In 2020, Kirsh demonstrated his commitment to education by donating $8.8 million to his alma mater, the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

This philanthropic gesture reflects Kirsh’s dedication to fostering positive change through education and supporting various impactful causes around the world.

Nathan Kirsh Facts

– Nathan “Natie” Kirsh, born on January 6, 1932, is a distinguished South African billionaire known for business and philanthropy.

– Commands majority stake in Jetro Holdings, a cash and carry operation in New York state.

– Jetro Holdings owns Restaurant Depot and Jetro Cash & Carry.

– Global influence with strategic equity in Australia, Eswatini, the UK, the US, and Israel.

– Forbes estimated wealth at $5.3 billion (April 2022).

– Born in 1932 in South Africa to Jewish parents from Lithuania.

– Matriculated from Potchefstroom Boys High in 1949.

– Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1952.

– Initiated business in 1952 with father’s malt factory.

– Established corn milling and malt business in Eswatini in 1958.

– Acquired Moshal Gevisser in 1970, a South African wholesale food distributor.

– Founded Jetro in 1976, expanded internationally with Restaurant Depot acquisition in 1994.

– Diverse business ventures include Magal Security Systems and others.

– Maintained retail and property interests globally.

– Married to Frances Herr, with three children.

– Resides in Ezulwini, Eswatini.

– Not religious but keeps kosher dietary practices.

– Family ties include brother Issie, founder of Radio 702 and Primedia.

– Established Kirsh Foundation for international charitable contributions.

– Focus on Eswatini, funding startups and facilitating computer education.

– Extends philanthropy to Israel, financing startups and supporting education.

– Supported initiatives like Shine A Light against antisemitism.

– Donated $8.8 million to the University of the Witwatersrand in 2020.

– Active supporter of the Jewish People Policy Institute.

– Indelible mark on the global business landscape.

– Acknowledged internationally for financial success.

– Contributions to education, business startups, and antisemitism awareness.

– Recognized internationally for financial success; listed on the Sunday Times Rich List (2018) and Forbes as the wealthiest in Eswatini.

– Contributions span continents and industries, showcasing a wide-ranging impact on the global business landscape.

– Kirsh Foundation’s impactful work in Eswatini, funding startups with a remarkable 70% success rate from 2001 to 2016.

– Noteworthy projects include microfinance ventures and support for COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Swaziland in 2021.

– Expansion of philanthropic efforts to Israel, funding startups and promoting education in high schools and yeshivas.

– Significant $10 million donation to the Jerusalem Arts Campus, supporting institutions focused on arts, film, and theater.      

– Supporter of the Jewish People Policy Institute, contributing to efforts securing the Jewish people and Israel.

– Spearheading “Shine A Light,” an initiative combating modern antisemitism through education, community partnerships, and advocacy.

– Endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism in various spheres.

– Demonstrated commitment by donating $8.8 million to alma mater, the University of the Witwatersrand, in 2020.

– Reflects a dedication to fostering positive change through education.

– By 2018, maintained retail and property interests in Britain, the United States, Australia, and Eswatini.

– Continues to hold a prominent position as a global entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio.

– Family ties with brother Issie, highlighting contributions in both business and media.

– Underscores the Kirsh family’s notable impact in various fields.

– Nathan “Natie” Kirsh’s journey is marked by entrepreneurial vision, business acumen, and a deep commitment to philanthropy.

– His influence spans continents, industries, and diverse initiatives, leaving an enduring legacy in both the business and philanthropic realms.