South Africa’s richest man Johann Rupert gains $520 million in February

Key Points

• South Africa’s richest man added $520 million in February, bringing his year-to-date wealth gain to $3.19 billion, driven by Richemont’s stock surge.
• The luxury group’s shares have jumped 34% in 2025, boosting Rupert’s stake from $9.3 billion to $12.5 billion as investor confidence grows.
• The company filed a lawsuit against U.S.-based Silversmiths, alleging counterfeit versions of Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic Alhambra jewelry design.

After a strong start to the year with a $2.67 billion increase in January, South Africa’s richest man, Johann Rupert, continued his upward climb in February, adding another $520 million to his net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Rupert, who has held the title of South Africa’s richest person since June 2022, saw his fortune rise from $16.3 billion on Feb. 1 to $16.8 billion by the end of the month. This follows a $2.67-billion boost in January, when his wealth jumped from $13.7 billion at the start of 2025.

Richemont stake lifts Rupert’s wealth in 2025

With February’s gains, Rupert’s year-to-date increase now stands at $3.19 billion,making him the only African billionaire to have gained more than $3 billion so far in 2025. The surge has also pushed him up Bloomberg’s real-time billionaire rankings, moving from 138th at the start of February to 127th globally.

A major driver of his growing wealth is his stake in Richemont, the luxury powerhouse behind Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé. Rupert owns a 10.18 percent equity stake in the company and controls 51 percent of its voting rights through a mix of “A” and “B” shares.

Richemont’s market cap surpasses $100 billion

Since the beginning of 2025, Richemont’s stock has surged nearly 34 percent on the SIX Swiss Exchange, pushing its market value past $100 billion. Rupert’s stake has climbed from $9.3 billion at the start of the year to $12.5 billion at the time of writing.

The surge in Richemont’s value reflects growing investor confidence, fueled by strong financial results. The group reported record-breaking sales of $16.7 billion for the first nine months of its fiscal year, a 3 percent increase from the same period in 2024. Revenue for the latest quarter hit $6.33 billion, despite currency fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainty.

Regional performance varied. Sales in the Asia Pacific region dropped 15 percent due to weaker consumer confidence in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Japan, however, posted a 25 percent jump, driven by strong local demand and a rebound in tourism. The Americas and the Middle East & Africa each saw 15 percent growth, while Europe recorded a steady 9 percent increase, supported by resilient local spending.

Richemont sues Silversmiths over trademark

With Richemont’s stock climbing sharply, some investors have started cashing in on their gains, while others are watching for potential risks to the company’s market position.

Adding to recent developments, Richemont has filed a lawsuit against U.S.-based Silversmiths Inc. in a New Jersey federal court, accusing the company of trademark counterfeiting and infringement. The lawsuit claims Silversmiths is selling necklaces that closely resemble Van Cleef & Arpels’ signature Alhambra design.

According to Richemont, Silversmiths’ products imitate the quatrefoil-shaped motif that has defined the Alhambra collection since the late 1960s. With its beaded outer edge and solid center, the design is “instantly recognizable,” the company said. Richemont is pushing to block unauthorized copies and protect its standing in the luxury market.