South African billionaire businessman Koos Bekker, who recorded a $200-million increase in his wealth figures during the first 33 days of 2023, has recently experienced a decline in his net worth due to a slump in his equity holdings.
According to Forbes, a leading U.S. business magazine that monitors the fortunes of the world’s ultra-high net worth individuals, Bekker’s net worth has decreased by $100 million in the past 82 days, from $2.6 billion on Feb. 2 to $2.5 billion as of April 25.
This comes after a $200 million increase between Jan. 1 and Feb. 2, when Bekker’s net worth rose from $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion due to a surge in tech stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and European markets.
What you should know about Koos Bekker
Bekker’s strategic leadership played a pivotal role in the success of multinational holding company Naspers, based in Cape Town, and Amsterdam-based investment group Prosus N.V. With a net worth estimated at $2.5 billion, Bekker ranks as the 1,275th richest person in the world, according to Forbes.
The South African billionaire owes the majority of his wealth to his substantial holdings in Naspers, where he holds a 0.96-percent stake and Prosus NV.
Despite recent declines in the market, Bekker’s net worth has increased by $100 million, making him one of the few African billionaires to experience a significant boost in their net worth this year.
The South African billionaire recently sold $190.4 million worth of Prosus shares
Bekker’s entrepreneurial spirit dates back to 1985, when he founded pay-television company M-Net (later MultiChoice), before serving as CEO of Naspers in 1997.
Recently, he sold $190.4 million worth of Prosus shares via a family trust to finance the development of hotels in various countries.
This sale, executed in three separate transactions valued at approximately €173.4 million ($190.4 million), marks the first time in over eight years that the trust has sold Naspers or Prosus shares. In 2015, Bekker himself sold R20 billion ($147.5 million) in Naspers stock options.
