Johann Rupert’s net worth rises by $488 million in 24 hours

Key Points

• Johann Rupert added $488 million in a day, pushing his 2025 net worth gains to $2.16 billion—Africa’s biggest billionaire gain so far.
• Richemont shares have surged 14% in a month, lifting its market value to $100 billion and boosting Rupert’s stake to $11.5 billion.
• Richemont’s $609.7 million sale of YNAP erased related debt, letting Rupert refocus the group on core luxury brands like Cartier and Chloé.

South African billionaire Johann Rupert has added another $488 million to his fortune in just 24 hours, pushing his net worth gains for the year back above $2 billion. The boost cements his position as Africa’s second-richest person, behind Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote.

Rupert adds $2.16 billion in 2025

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Rupert’s net worth rose from $15.3 billion to $15.8 billion within a single day, continuing a streak that has defined his wealth gains in recent months. This jump follows an earlier $800 million gain between April 14 and May 12, when his fortune grew from $14.5 billion to $15.3 billion. Altogether, Rupert has added $2.16 billion to his wealth in 2025, the highest among African billionaires so far this year.

The main driver behind this surge is the recent rally in the share price of Richemont, the Swiss luxury group he chairs. Over the past month, Richemont’s stock has climbed more than 14 percent on the SIX Swiss Exchange, lifting its market value to around $100 billion.

Rupert’s Richemont stake hits $11.5 billion

Rupert owns a 10.18 percent stake in Richemont, the parent company of prestigious brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chloé. That stake is now worth approximately $11.5 billion. Through a mix of “A” and “B” shares, he also controls 51 percent of the company’s voting rights—giving him significant influence over its direction.

The recent uptick in Richemont’s share price came on the heels of a strategic sale: its long-struggling online fashion retailer, YOOX NET-A-PORTER (YNAP). On April 24, Richemont finalized the sale of YNAP to MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., the company behind Mytheresa, for $609.7 million. In return, Richemont received 49.7 million Mytheresa shares—about a third of the company’s fully diluted equity—and a €555 million cash payout.

Richemont clears debt, embraces new era

With regulatory approvals now completed, the deal also included a rebranding of YNAP to LuxExperience B.V., which trades under the ticker “LUXE.” The transaction left Richemont free of any debt tied to YNAP and relieved it of operational responsibilities. Richemont can now sharpen its focus on its core portfolio, while Mytheresa takes the lead in digital luxury retail.

Beyond Richemont, Rupert has major holdings in other publicly traded firms, including Reinet Investments, Remgro, and FirstRand, with those stakes collectively valued at around $1.8 billion. He also holds an estimated $2.45 billion in cash, making him one of Africa’s most liquid and financially nimble billionaires.