Johann Rupert, South Africa’s richest man, gains $200 million in a week

Key Points

• Johann Rupert’s net worth rose from $16.2 billion to $16.4 billion, driven by a rebound in Richemont shares.
• Richemont stock gained 2.5% this week, boosting its market value above $100 billion and lifting Rupert’s stake to $11.8 billion.
• Richemont’s annual sales hit $24 billion, led by an 8% rise in jewelry sales and strong performance in the U.S. and Japan.

South Africa’s richest person, Johann Rupert, has added $200 million to his fortune so far this week, marking a fresh rise after his net worth briefly fell below the $17 billion mark, according to Bloomberg estimates. 

Since the start of the week, Rupert’s net worth has climbed from $16.2 billion to $16.4 billion, reflecting this $200 million gain. This increase pushes his total wealth growth for the year to $2.72 billion, up from $2.52 billion just a few days ago.

Richemont rally lifts Rupert’s net worth

The recent boost comes mainly from the rising value of his stake in Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group behind brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé.

Richemont’s shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange have gone up by 2.5 percent this week, pushing the company’s market value above $100 billion. Rupert owns just over 10 percent of Richemont, which now accounts for about $11.8 billion of his wealth, more than 70 percent of his total estimated fortune of $16.4 billion.

Jewelry drives Richemont’s annual sales gain

For the year ending March 31, 2025, Richemont reported $24 billion in sales, driven largely by steady demand for high-end jewelry and strong growth in markets including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the Middle East. These gains helped offset weaker sales in China and a slowdown in watch sales, with jewelry remaining the core of the business.

Sales from Richemont’s four main jewelry brands, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and recently acquired Vhernier, rose 8 percent to €15.3 billion ($17.13 billion), making up nearly three-quarters of the company’s total revenue. This strong performance contributed to a 3.8 percent increase in overall group sales to €21.4 billion ($23.97 billion), while annual profits jumped 17 percent to €2.75 billion ($3.08 billion).

Richemont sees gains despite China drag

Results varied by region. Sales in Asia Pacific declined as challenges in China persisted, but Japan saw a 25 percent jump thanks to strong local demand and tourism. The Americas grew 16 percent, Europe rose 10 percent, and the Middle East and Africa increased 15 percent, showing resilience in many of Richemont’s key international markets.