In Brazil, the ultra-wealthy, predominantly accumulate their fortunes through industries like beer, banking, finance, and minerals. This concentration of wealth is mostly found in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Notable among these billionaires is Marcel Herrmann Telles, with interests in the food and beverage sector.
How many billionaires are in Brazil?
Brazil is home to a total of 47 billionaires in 2025. The majority of them are located in Sao Paulo, with 25 billionaires living there. Rio de Janeiro follows with 11 billionaires. Other cities with billionaires include Rondonopolis, Brusque, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Joinville, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Santo Andre, São José dos Pinhais, and Sao Luis, each with one billionaire.
Top 5 Billionaires in Brazil 2025
Who has the highest net worth in Brazil?
1. Marcel Herrmann Telles
Marcel Herrmann Telles was born in 1950 and is a male, self-made billionaire. In 2025, his total net worth was estimated to be 11.2 billion U.S. dollars, ranking him 158th in terms of wealth worldwide. His primary source of wealth remains beer, and he continues to expand his influence in the food and beverage industries. Recently, Telles has been involved in sustainability initiatives within the beverage sector, focusing on reducing environmental impacts.
2. Andre Esteves
Andre Esteves was born in 1968 and is a self-made male billionaire. His net worth in 2025 was estimated to be around 5.1 billion U.S. dollars, making him the 540th wealthiest person in the world. His wealth is primarily derived from banking and finance investments. Esteves has recently increased his investments in fintech startups, positioning himself at the forefront of Brazil’s digital banking revolution.
3. David Velez & family
David Velez is a self-made male billionaire, born in 1981. He had a net worth of 4.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, ranking 590th in terms of wealth worldwide. His main business interests are in the finance and investments sector, particularly in the fintech industry. Velez has continued to grow his company’s footprint internationally, expanding into new Latin American markets and increasing his influence in global fintech innovation.
4. Joao Moreira Salles
Joao Moreira Salles, born in 1962, is a male, non-self-made billionaire with a net worth of $4.5 billion, ranking 650th in terms of wealth worldwide in 2025. His wealth comes from banking and minerals, and his business interests span a range of industries. Recently, Salles has diversified his portfolio by investing in renewable energy projects across Brazil.
5. Walther Moreira Salles Junior
Walther Moreira Salles Junior was born in 1956 and is a male. He is a self-made billionaire with a net worth of 4.3 billion US dollars, ranked 670th in the world in 2025. His wealth is derived from banking and minerals, and his business interests span finance and investments. Walther has also been active in philanthropy, focusing on education and cultural preservation initiatives in Brazil.
Sources:
Forbes Billionaires List (2025)
Bloomberg Billionaires Index (2025)
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