Israel’s Richest: everyday Products Fueling Billion-Dollar Fortunes Amidst Gaza conflict
While the ongoing conflict in Gaza casts a long shadow, the fortunes of Israel’s wealthiest individuals remain largely unaffected. This article explores the vast wealth of Israel’s top billionaires and the surprising connections between their empires and products commonly used by consumers worldwide, including in the United States.
Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List reveals that the top seven wealthiest Israelis, boasting a combined net worth of $79.3 billion, maintain their positions. This group includes Eyal Ofer ($19.9 billion), Idan Ofer ($13.9 billion), Dmitri Bukhman ($6.9 billion), igor Bukhman ($6.9 billion), and Yuri Milner ($6.8 billion).
Eyal Ofer: A Global Real Estate and Shipping Mogul
Eyal Ofer, ranked 77th globally, heads Ofer Global, a Monaco-based company with interests spanning real estate, shipping, technology, banking, and energy. The 74-year-old inherited a significant portion of his wealth from his father, shipping magnate Sammy Ofer, and further expanded his empire. His real estate portfolio boasts over 120 properties worldwide,including prominent Manhattan addresses like 15 Central Park West.
His investments also extend to venture capital (OG Venture Partners), energy (OG Energy), and stakes in companies like Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and Royal Caribbean Cruises. This diversification showcases the breadth of his financial influence.
Idan Ofer: Shipping, Sports, and Strategic Investments
Eyal’s brother, Idan Ofer, controls Eastern Pacific Shipping, a fleet of over 210 vessels. He also holds a significant stake (51%) in Israel Corp. and has investments in international sports, owning a 32% share of Atletico de Madrid and an 85% stake in FC Famalicao.
The Bukhman Brothers: Gaming Giants
Dmitri and Igor Bukhman, brothers who relocated their company playrix from Russia to Israel in 2022 along with 1,500 employees, are the masterminds behind popular mobile games like Homescapes, Fishdom, and Township. These games generate an estimated annual revenue exceeding $2.5 billion.their success story highlights the global reach of the mobile gaming industry and its contribution to significant personal wealth.
“Both of them have been marketing their online games since they were in high school,” illustrating their entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. Their move to Israel underscores the country’s growing role as a tech hub.
The Bukhman brothers’ success story is a testament to the power of the mobile gaming market and its potential for generating immense wealth. their games are enjoyed by millions worldwide, highlighting the global reach of their enterprise.
The stark contrast between the immense wealth accumulated by these individuals and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza raises crucial questions about economic disparity and global power dynamics. The details of their business empires, however, offer a glimpse into the complex interplay of global finance and technology.
Israel’s Tech Titans: Billionaires Weathering the Storm
Amidst recent geopolitical turmoil in the region, several Israeli billionaires have demonstrated remarkable resilience in their business ventures. their success stories offer a compelling look at how strategic investments and diversification can navigate even the most challenging circumstances.
Teddy Sagi: The Gaming Mogul
Teddy Sagi, founder of Playtech, a gambling software developer with over $1 billion in revenue, is a prominent figure in Israel’s business landscape. Playtech, traded on the London Stock Exchange, is just one of Sagi’s successes. He’s also taken four companies public on the AIM London exchange: Playtech, Market Tech, online payment processor SafeCharge, and cybersecurity firm Kape.
Stef Wertheimer: Industrial Giant
Industrial tycoon Stef Wertheimer’s business acumen is equally impressive. In a series of significant transactions,he sold his metal cutting company,ISCAR,to Berkshire hathaway in two stages: 80% for $4 billion in 2006,and the remaining 20% for $2.05 billion in 2013. He further solidified his success by selling a 51% stake in Blades Technology,a jet engine blade manufacturing company,to Pratt & Whitney in 2014 for an undisclosed sum.
Yuri Milner: From Russia to Tech investing
Yuri milner, one of Israel’s five wealthiest billionaires, is a Russian-born investor who made his mark as an early supporter of tech giants like Facebook and Twitter through his venture fund, DST Global. After relinquishing his Russian citizenship in 2022, Milner shifted his investments, divesting from Facebook and Twitter and subsequently investing in Spotify and Airbnb. He also increased his holdings in several prominent Chinese tech companies, including Alibaba, JD.Com, and Xiaomi, highlighting a diversified global portfolio.
These examples showcase the resilience and adaptability of some of Israel’s most triumphant entrepreneurs. Their continued prosperity, despite regional challenges, underscores the importance of strategic planning and diversification in the ever-evolving global marketplace. Their stories offer valuable lessons for investors and entrepreneurs alike.
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