Table of Contents
Key Points
- Johann Rupert’s net worth fell $800 million from $17.1 billion to $16.3 billion, erasing some year-to-date gains amid Richemont’s share decline.
- Richemont’s shares dropped over 6.5% in three weeks, lowering Rupert’s stake value from nearly $13 billion to $11.8 billion.
- Richemont posted $24 billion sales for FY 2025, with jewelry revenue up 8%, led by strong growth in Japan, Americas, Europe, and Middle East.
After seeing his net worth climb above $17 billion in mid-May, a level he last reached earlier this year in February, South African billionaire Johann Rupert, the richest man in the country and second wealthiest in Africa, has now seen his fortune fall back below that mark. This recent dip has erased some of the gains he made when his net worth peaked at $17.1 billion in May.
Rupert’s wealth drops $800 million
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the wealth of the world’s 500 richest people, shows that Rupert’s net worth has dropped by $800 million, from $17.1 billion on May 21 to $16.3 billion at the time of drafting this report. This pullback has reduced his year-to-date wealth gains from $3.43 billion to $2.63 billion.
This $800 million decrease comes shortly after a significant jump in his fortune. Between April 10 and May 21, Rupert’s net worth grew by $3.9 billion, rising from $13.2 billion to $17.1 billion. The recent drop is mainly tied to the performance of his stake in Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group that owns well-known brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé.
Over the past three weeks, Richemont’s shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange have fallen more than 6.5 percent, pushing the company’s market value down to about $100 billion. As a result, Rupert’s 10.18 percent stake has decreased from nearly $13 billion to $11.8 billion, making up more than 70 percent of his total estimated wealth of $16.3 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Richemont hits $24 billion sales
For the year ending March 31, 2025, Richemont reported sales of $24 billion. This was driven by steady demand for high-end jewelry and solid growth in key markets such as the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the Middle East, which helped offset weaker results in China and slower watch sales. Jewelry continues to be the backbone of the business.
Sales from Richemont’s four main jewelry brands, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and the recently acquired Vhernier, rose 8 percent to €15.3 billion ($17.13 billion), accounting for nearly three-quarters of the company’s total revenue. This strong performance helped Richemont’s overall group sales increase by 3.8 percent to €21.4 billion ($23.97 billion), while annual profits grew 17 percent to €2.75 billion ($3.08 billion).
Regional results varied. Sales in the Asia Pacific region fell as China’s challenges continued. On the other hand, Japan saw a 25 percent jump, driven by strong local spending and tourism. The Americas recorded a 16 percent increase, Europe rose by 10 percent, and the Middle East and Africa were up 15 percent, showing resilience in most of Richemont’s international markets.
