Who are the top 10 richest people in Europe in 2024? The list of Europe’s richest people in 2024 includes people who have made significant contributions to various industries. Bernard Arnault, who heads LVMH, the world’s largest luxury clothing company. His wealth together with that of his family is estimated to be around $233 billion, making him the richest person not only in Europe but globally.
He is followed in second place by Amancio Ortega, founder and former chairman of the Inditex fashion group. Along with these billionaires, others also feature in the list who exemplify a blend of heritage, innovation, and business acumen, making up the list of Europe’s top 10 richest people in 2024.
Reinhold Würth is a German businessman and art collector. In 1954, at the age of 19, he took over his father’s small wholesale screw business and turned it into the Würth Group, which recorded sales of $21.68 billion in 2022. Reinhold Würth is one of the top 10 richest people in Europe in 2024.
Also, the Würth Group has more than 400 companies and 83,000 employees worldwide, with annual sales of over $16 billion. Reinhold Würth is married and has three children and lives in Künzelsau, Germany. Daughter Bettina Würth is chairwoman of the Würth Group’s advisory board.
Alain Ernest Wertheimer is a French billionaire businessman residing in New York City who is the chairman of the French luxury brand Chanel. He is the chairman and controlling shareholder of Chanel, with his brother Gérard being the chairman of its watch division.
As of 2024, Wertheimer’s net worth is estimated at $36.8 billion by the Forbes Billionaires Index, making him the 40th richest person in the world.
Furthermore, he was born on 28 September 1948 to a Jewish family, the son of Jacques Wertheimer and Eliane Fisher. His grandfather Pierre Wertheimer founded the company with Gabrielle Chanel, the namesake of the same name.
08. Gerard Wertheimer – $36 billion
Net Worth: 36.8 billion
Source of Wealth: Chanel
Born: 17 April 1951, France
Residence: New York
Gérard Wertheimer and his brother Alain Wertheimer are co-owners of Chanel, a renowned luxury brand. According to the Forbes Billionaires Index, Gérard’s net worth is estimated at $36 billion in 2024, making him the eighth richest person in Europe.
The Chanel brand was founded by his grandfather, Pierre Wertheimer, along with Coco Chanel. The brothers have transformed Chanel into a globally iconic and profitable luxury brand known for its high fashion, perfumes, and accessories.
Gérard heads the company’s watch division and lives in Switzerland. His grandfather Pierre partnered with the company’s namesake, Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, in the 1920s. The Wertheimer brothers have expanded Chanel’s global presence, keeping it relevant across generations and cultures.
07. Dieter Schwarz – $38 billion
Image: European-leaders.com
Net Worth: 38 billion
Source of Wealth: Retail
Born: 24 September 1939, Germany
Residence: Neckarsulm, Germany
Dieter Schwarz is the seventh richest person in Europe in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $38 billion. He is the founder and owner of the Schwarz Group, which includes major supermarket brands such as Lidl and Kaufland. The Schwarz Group was founded in 1973, and has since expanded across Europe and around the world.
Dieter Schwarz has transformed his father’s small retail business into a huge global retail empire, renowned for its low prices and high-quality products. Both brands, Lidl and Kaufland, have become extremely popular among customers by offering high-quality products at affordable prices.
Dieter Schwarz’s business model and his strategic vision have earned the Schwarz Group a prominent position in the retail industry, making him an influential business figure. Under his leadership, the Schwarz Group has not only achieved economic success but also considered social and environmental responsibilities important.
06. Klaus-Michael Kuehne – $39 billion
Photo: Axel Heimken/AP/Ritzau Scanpix
Net Worth: 39.2 billion
Source of Wealth: Shipping
Born: 2 June 1937, Germany
Residence: Germany
Klaus-Michael Kuehne is one of the top 10 richest people in Europe in 2024, with an estimated net worth of over $39 billion. As the major shareholder and respected chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, he has made significant contributions to the global logistics and transportation industry.
Kuehne + Nagel was founded in 1890 and under the leadership of Klaus-Michael Kuehne, the company operates in over 100 countries, making it one of the largest freight forwarding companies in the world.
Klaus-Michael Kuehne’s business acumen and leadership have not only played a key role in the company’s financial growth. Under his impressive leadership, Kuehne + Nagel has scaled new heights in the global supply chain industry.
In addition, Kuehne is active in various philanthropic causes, especially in the areas of education and healthcare, and he founded the Kuehne Foundation, which supports medical research, education, and disaster relief efforts.
His contributions have made him one of the most influential and wealthy individuals in the world, holding a significant position in both industry and society.
Mark Mateschitz is among the richest people in Europe in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $39 billion. He is the son of Red Bull’s co-founder, Dietrich Mateschitz. Red Bull has become a major brand worldwide, a pioneer in the energy drink industry, and its global marketing and sports sponsorships have taken it to greater heights.
Mark Mateschitz took a leading role at Red Bull after his father’s death, continuing the company’s growth and expansion. His leadership abilities and business vision have kept Red Bull a leader not only in the energy drink market, but also in sports, particularly motorsports and adventure sports.
Red Bull’s impressive marketing campaigns and sponsorships have given it a worldwide reputation. The company has launched various philanthropic initiatives and emphasizes sustainability, making it clear that Mark Mateschitz is enriching and expanding his father’s legacy.
04. Giovanni Ferrero – $43 billion
Image: Lacucinaitaliana.it
Net Worth: 43.8 billion
Source of Wealth: Nutella, chocolates
Born: 21 September 1964, Italy
Residence: Brussels, Belgium
Giovanni Ferrero is an Italian businessman and author who took over the leadership of the confectionery company Ferrero SpA after the death of his brother Pietro Ferrero in 2011. His personal wealth is estimated at $43.8 billion in 2024 according to Forbes, making him the 26th richest person in the world and the richest in Italy.
The firm is best known for its iconic Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread, Kinder chocolates, and Tic Tac mints. In 2017 he resigned as CEO but remained as executive chairman to focus on corporate strategy.
Giovanni Ferrero was born in Farigliano, Italy, the son of Maria Franca Fisolo and Michele Ferrero, owners of the multinational confectionery corporation Ferrero. Ferrero purchased Nestlé’s entire US confection business for $2.8 billion in 2018.
03. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers – $99 billion
Net Worth: 99.5 billion
Source of Wealth: L’Oréal
Born: 10 July 1953, France
Residence: Paris, France
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is a French businesswoman, philanthropist, author, billionaire heiress, and the richest woman in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$99 billion as of 2024, according to Forbes. She is the only child and heiress of Liliane Bettencourt, and the granddaughter of L’Oréal founder Eugène Schueller.
Her mother died in September 2017, after which her wealth tripled due to her investments through her family holding company, Tethys Invest, and the high valuation of L’Oréal’s shares on the stock exchange.
In addition, Bettencourt Meyers and her family own more than a third of the publicly traded L’Oréal. She has served on L’Oréal’s board since 1997 and is chairwoman of the family holding company.
02. Amancio Ortega – $103 billion
Net Worth: 103 billion
Source of Wealth: Zara, Self Made
Born: 28 March 1936, Spain
Residence: La Coruna, Spain
Amancio Ortega is a Spanish billionaire businessman, the second richest person in Europe in 2024. He is the founder and former chairman of the Inditex fashion group, best known for its chain of Zara and Bershka clothing and accessories stores.
He is considered a pioneer in fast fashion. As of July 2024, Ortega has a net worth of $103 billion, making him the second-richest person in Europe and the 11th-richest person in the world, after Bernard Arnault. He is the head of the Ortega family and the second-richest retailer in the world.
In addition, he has a nearly 60% stake in Madrid-listed Inditex, which owns 8 brands including Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear, and 7,500 stores worldwide. Also, Ortega usually earns more than $400 million in dividends annually.
For a short time in 2015, he was the world’s richest person, with his net worth hitting $80 billion as shares of Zara’s parent company, Inditex, peaked.
Bernard Arnault is the richest person in Europe in 2024. He is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the world’s largest luxury clothing company. He has an estimated net worth of $233 billion, making him the wealthiest person not only in Europe but also in the world.
Arnault’s wealth and influence are due to his success in the luxury industry. He has made LVMH’s brands globally iconic by combining traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. Arnault is a renowned art collector who owns works by artists such as Picasso, Yves Klein, Henry Moore, and Andy Warhol.
Bernard Arnault’s story is not only about his personal accomplishments, but also shows how a family-run company can achieve world-class success. At the same time, Arnault oversees LVMH’s empire of 75 fashion and cosmetics brands, including Louis Vuitton and Sephora.
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