The positive trend on the stock markets has also been reflected in the assets of the Swiss super-rich. According to the annual list compiled by the business magazine «Bilanz» (Article subject to payment), the 300 richest people have a combined record assets of 833.5 billion Swiss francs. This is an increase of 4.8 percent compared to the previous year.

Around half of the individuals and families on the list have assets of more than 1 billion francs. The average is 2.8 billion francs.

With an estimated fortune of 37 to 38 billion francs, the scion of the Chanel founding family Gérard Wertheimer from Geneva remains at the top of the rich list. However, his wealth is estimated to have decreased by approximately 4 billion francs.

Entrepreneurial Families at the Top

The Roche families Oeri, Hoffmann und Duschmalé follow in second place with 28 to 29 billion francs. The year-on-year increase of 2 billion francs is attributed to the rise in the value of the pharmaceutical group's shares.

The Firmenich family of the food and cosmetics manufacturer of the same name also benefited from the share price and the merger with Dutch company Royal DSM. The Geneva-based family's assets grew by 5 billion to 14 to 15 billion Swiss francs, making them the biggest climbers.

The German logistics entrepreneur Klaus-Michael Kühne also saw an increase in assets, despite the loss due to his involvement in the Benko real estate conglomerate, as did the South African billionaire Johann Rupert, whose holdings include the luxury goods group Richemont, and the Schindler/Bonnard family of the Schindler elevator group.

Notable Relegates

The Bilanz list identifies the Jacobs entrepreneurial family and the sons of Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad, who reside in Switzerland, as having been relegated. The latter are now estimated to be worth 10 to 11 billion francs – 3 billion less than before. The weak Swatch share price had a negative impact of 1 billion francs on the Familie Hayek.

Crypto Investors Among the Newcomers

The brothers Milan and Tomas Prenosil, owners of Confiserie Sprüngli, and Galderma CEO Flemming Ørnskov are listed as «newcomers». Crypto investor Giancarlo Devasini is estimated to have assets of 7 to 8 billion francs. Bitcoin investor and founder of the biotech company Ribopharma, Christian Angermayer, is also a newcomer with 1 to 1.5 billion francs.