Johann Rupert adds $1.3 billion to fortune in 2026, Forbes says
By Aboki Forex —
Johann Rupert, South Africa's richest man, has added $1.3 billion to his fortune in 2026. Forbes estimates his real-time net worth at $17.4 billion as of August 23, 2026, up from $16.1 billion in 2025.
That places the 76-year-old 165th among the world's billionaires and second on Forbes' Africa's Billionaires list. He is chairman of Swiss luxury group Compagnie Financière Richemont, whose brands include Cartier and Montblanc.
How the fortune moved
Rupert's wealth is closely tied to Richemont and his wider investment holdings. He owns about 7% of Remgro, the diversified investment company where he is chairman, and holds a 26% stake in Reinet, a Luxembourg-based investment holding company.
Richemont was created in 1998 through a spin-off of luxury assets owned by the Rembrandt Group, the South African business built by Rupert's father, Anton Rupert, in the 1940s.
Share price picture
Richemont's shares have had a subdued year on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The stock stood at about 3,703.44 rand on August 23, compared with 3,627.04 rand at the start of the year, a year-to-date gain of roughly 1.29%.
But the shorter term is weaker. Richemont closed at 3,674.01 rand on August 20, down 1.5% from its previous close of 3,728.15 rand. Over the preceding four weeks, the shares lost about 7% of their value.
Context and regrets
Forbes has ranked Rupert second on its Africa's Billionaires list in 2026, the same position he held in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Rupert has been an outspoken opponent of plans to permit hydraulic fracturing in South Africa's Karoo region, where he owns land. He was previously an investor in England's Saracens rugby team and Anthonij Rupert Wines, named after his late brother.
He has also spoken about missed opportunities. One of his biggest regrets, he has said, was failing to buy half of Gucci when he had the chance to acquire the stake for $175 million.
Earlier gains and Richemont results
Rupert's fortune had already risen sharply before the latest Forbes estimate. In May 2025, his net worth was reported to have climbed by $2.45 billion to $16.1 billion, a 17.9% year-to-date increase.
For the financial year ended March 2025, Richemont reported an 8% increase in jewellery sales at constant exchange rates. Strong demand for Cartier helped the company withstand weaker luxury spending in China and rising raw material costs.
At that time, Richemont shares had gained about 15% in 2025, contrasting with a decline of roughly 17% for rival luxury group LVMH. The company reported operating profit of €4.47 billion for the year.
Rupert has kept a comparatively low public profile while overseeing the family's investments. His wealth remains tied to luxury markets and listed investments, making share price moves an important driver of his estimated net worth.