In this article we discuss the 5 Richest People In Central and South America. If you want to read our detailed analysis of Central and South America’s richest people, go directly to 15 Richest People In Central and South America.
5. Marcel Herrmann Telles
Net Worth: $10.9 billion
Marcel Herrmann Telles owns shares in Anheuser-Busch InBev, the largest brewery in the world. He co-founded the company with Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira. Herrmann Telles was formerly the CEO and Chairman of the AB InBev company.
He is also one of the owners of the private equity firm, 3G Capital. In 2013, 3G Capital and Warren Buffett’s firm, Berkshire Hathaway, bought H.J. Heinz & Company.
4. Luis Carlos Sarmiento
Net Worth: $11 billion
Luis Carlos Sarmiento is the owner of Group Aval, the banking conglomerate based in Colombia. In the 1950s, Carlos Sarmiento focused on building residential and commercial structures. Then, Carlos Sarmiento invested in the banking industry.
He acquired commercial banks and other financial companies. By 2000, Sarmiento held 22% of the assets of the banking industry in Colombia. He established the holding company, Group Aval, to control his real estate, banking and telecommunications interests. He is still the Chairman of the holding company. Luis Sarmiento also acquired El Tiempo, Colombia’s leading newspaper, in 2012.
3. Eduardo Saverin
Net Worth: $14.7 billion
Eduardo Saverin is a venture capitalist who co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg. Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg met at Harvard. Together, they worked to develop a social media website for Harvard students that later became Facebook. Eduardo Saverin acted as the CEO and manager of the company.
In 2010, Saverin bought shares in several startups like Qwiki, ShopSavvy, and Jumio. He invested in Anideo, a company in Singapore. He also founded Aporta, an online company that allowed individuals to donate money to several charities.
In 2015, Saverin founded his venture capitalist firm, B Capital. In 2016, His fund financed deals worth $140 million in Asia.
2. Jorge Paulo Lemann
Net Worth: $18.5 billion
Jorge Paulo Lemann is the co-founder of Banco Garantia and owns shares in the global brewery company, AmBev. In 1971, Jorge Lemann co-founded Banco Garantia with his partners, Marcel Herrmann and Carlos Sicupira. The company was one of the largest investment firms in Brazil. It modernized the banking and investment landscape in Brazil.
The firm was sold to Credit Suisse in 1998. Lemann and his partners also acquired the retail chain Lojas Americanas. In 1999, Lemann established AmBev with his partners as a conglomerate of the breweries they owned.
1. Iris Fontbona
Net Worth: $20.1 billion
Iris Fontbona is a Chilean billionaire who owns majority shares in Antofagasta plc. Fontbona inherited the company after her husband passed away. Antofagasta plc is a copper mining group that is one of the largest mining companies in the world.
She also owns the Quineñco conglomerate, which controls Banco de Chile, Madeco, Compañía de Cervecerías Unidas(CCU) and the CSAV shipping company. Madeco is a copper products manufacturer, while CCU is a brewery company.
Banco de Chile has grown to be the second-largest commercial bank in Chile. Fontbona has also acquired a majority stake in Canal 13, a Chilean Television station.
You can also take a peek at 10 Easiest Occupational Therapy Schools To Get Into and 15 Fastest Growing Franchises.