Johann Rupert Net Worth
In early 2024, Johann Rupert and his family claimed the title of Africa’s wealthiest, boasting an estimated net worth of $10 billion.
This noteworthy accomplishment in his career surpasses that of other business magnates on the continent.
This notable milestone stands as a significant highlight in Rupert’s professional journey, positioning him ahead of other prominent business figures across the continent.
Moreover, beyond his business endeavors, Rupert’s impact extends to the realms of sports and conservation, showcasing a multifaceted engagement beyond the corporate landscape.”
Johann Rupert Information
Born on June 1, 1950, Johann Peter Rupert is a South African billionaire entrepreneur and the eldest son of Anton Rupert and Huberte Rupert.
He holds the position of chairman at Richemont, a Swiss luxury goods company, and Remgro, a South African company.
Serving as the CEO of Compagnie Financiere Richemont since April 2010, Rupert and his family clinched the top spot as the wealthiest in South Africa on Forbes’ 2023 list, boasting an estimated net worth of US$10.7 billion.
Personal life
Growing up in Stellenbosch, Johann Rupert attended Paul Roos Gymnasium and later pursued studies in economics and company law at the University of Stellenbosch.
Although he left the university to embark on a business career, in 2004, he received an honorary doctorate in Economics from the same institution.
In 2008, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University also conferred upon him an honorary doctorate.
Often characterized as “reclusive” by the Financial Times and Barron’s, Rupert seldom participates in interviews or public events, earning the nickname “Rupert the Bear.”
Notably, Rupert expresses support for the concept of a universal basic income.
Business career
Johann Rupert underwent his business apprenticeship in New York City, spending two years with Chase Manhattan and three years with Lazard Freres.
Subsequently, he returned to South Africa in 1979 and took on the role of CEO in the establishment of Rand Merchant Bank.
1984: Merged RMB and Rand Consolidated Investments, forming RMB Holdings, and left to join his father’s company, the Rembrandt Group.
1988 Founded Compagnie Financiere Richemont in 1988 and was appointed Non-Executive Director of Rothmans International plc in 1988.
He was named “Businessman of the Year” by the Sunday Times in the same year.
1989: Appointed Vice Chairman of the Rembrandt Group.
1990: Named business leader of the year by Die Burger newspaper and the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce. Formed Richemont subsidiary Vendôme Luxury Group SA.
1991: Appointed Chairman of Rembrandt Group Limited and in 1992 he was named one of 200 “Global Leaders of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.
1993: Received the M.S. Louw Award from the A.H.I. (“Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut”).
1996: Named Sunday Times Business Times’s Businessman of the Year for second time.
1997: Appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Gold Fields South Africa Ltd.
1999: Awarded the 1999 Free Market Award by The Free Market Foundation of South Africa.
2000: Restructured Rembrandt Group Limited and formed Remgro Limited and VenFin Limited. Appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA. Voted “Most influential Business Leader” in South Africa by CEOs of top 100 Listed Companies
2004: Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Economics by the University of Stellenbosch.
2008 Voted South Africa’s Business Leader of the Year by the CEOs of the Top 100 Companies, for the third time.
2009 Appointed “Officier” of the French “Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur” by the President of the French Republic
Selected as the 2009 International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year at the Meininger “Excellence in Wine and Spirit” awards ceremony in Düsseldorf, Germany.
2009: Appointed Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
2010 Made Honorary Vice President of the European Golf Tour
Awarded honorary doctorate by the University of St Andrews, Scotland.
Other Interests
Johann Rupert’s diverse interests extend beyond business. He was a former cricketer and established the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in 1990.
This foundation supports 65 global projects, focusing on leveraging sports to address social issues, especially among underprivileged children. He co-founded the Sports Science Institute alongside Morne du Plessis and Tim Noakes.
Notably, Rupert developed the Leopard Creek Golf Club in Mpumalanga, South Africa, designed by Gary Player, ranking among the country’s top three golf courses and earning the 25th spot globally outside the United States according to Golf Digest.
His involvement in golf extends to participating in the Gary Player Invitational, aiding Gary Player’s fundraising for children’s charities.
Rupert serves as Chairman of the South African PGA Tour and the South African Golf Development Board.
Recognitions include induction into the South African Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and the South African Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.
Following his brother Anthonij’s tragic passing in a car accident in 2001, Johann Rupert took charge of the L’Ormarins wine estate, previously headed by Anthonij at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. He initiated a project to enhance the farm in honor of his late brother.
His involvement extends to various councils and trusts, including The South Africa Foundation, Southern African Nature Foundation, The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa, Business South Africa, Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, where he served as Managing Trustee and on the investment committee. Additionally, he was part of the Daimler Chrysler International Advisory Board.
Carrying on his father’s legacy, Johann Rupert is a dedicated conservationist, preserving approximately 25,000 hectares in the Graaff Reinet area and serving as Chairman of the Peace Parks Foundation.
Controversies
Johann Rupert has found himself involved in a few controversies over the years.
In response to a British design magazine’s negative comments about the Afrikaans language, Rupert withdrew advertising for brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc, and Alfred Dunhill from the magazine.
In December 2016, he cut ties with PR agency Bell Pottinger, alleging their involvement in a social media campaign against him to divert attention from allegations of ‘state capture’ against the Gupta family, leading to the agency’s controversial fall.
Rupert also criticized the term “Radical Economic Transformation,” associated with the Gupta family, as a cover-up for alleged state capture during Richemont’s annual general meeting in 2017.
His remarks drew attention given the policy’s association with efforts to address racial inequality in South Africa.
In 2018, comments made by Rupert during an interview with PowerFM sparked criticism.
He faced backlash for his views on the existence of white monopoly capital, his portrayal of Afrikaner economic upliftment, and his remarks on the saving habits of black South Africans. Following this, Rupert issued an apology for his comments.
However, the leader of the Black First Land First party, Andile Mngxitama, used Rupert’s comments as a justification for potential violence against white South Africans, further intensifying the controversy surrounding Rupert’s statements.
Fact About Johann Rupert
– Johann Rupert, born June 1, 1950, is a South African billionaire businessman, son of Anton and Huberte Rupert.
– He is the chairman of Richemont, a Swiss luxury-goods company, and Remgro, a South Africa-based company.
– Rupert has been the CEO of Compagnie Financiere Richemont since April 2010.
– In 2023, Forbes ranked Rupert and his family as the richest in South Africa with an estimated net worth of $10.7 billion.
– Rupert’s education includes attending Paul Roos Gymnasium and the University of Stellenbosch, where he studied economics and company law.
– He dropped out of university but received honorary doctorates in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
– Rupert worked in New York City for Chase Manhattan and Lazard Freres before returning to South Africa in 1979.
– He founded Rand Merchant Bank and served as its CEO.
– Rupert is a former cricketer and founder of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in 1990.
– He co-founded the Sports Science Institute and developed the Leopard Creek Golf Club in South Africa.
– Rupert is involved in various golf-related events and charities, including the Gary Player Invitational.
– After his brother Anthonij’s death, he took over the L’Ormarins wine estate.
– Rupert is associated with several councils, trusts, and foundations, such as The South Africa Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
– He is a committed conservationist, preserving about 25,000 hectares in the Graaff Reinet area and serving as Chairman of the Peace Parks Foundation.
– Controversies involving Rupert include his response to a magazine’s criticism of Afrikaans, cutting ties with Bell Pottinger, and criticism for comments made in interviews regarding racial and economic issues in South Africa.
– Rupert issued apologies for some controversial remarks, but they sparked additional controversy and discussions on racial tensions in the country.
