Real estate

  • Emsens family: a Belgian dynasty with assets worth 2.6 billion euros

    The Emsens family, ranked among the 14 richest families in Belgium, controls an industrial empire with companies such as SCR-Sibelco, Aliaxis and Etex. These multinationals, specializing in sand mining, construction products and materials such as asbestos cement, reinforce the Emsens' influence on the global market. With assets of over 2.6 billion euros, the Emsens family is also extending its influence through strategic investments in companies such as Sofina and Solvay, consolidating their position as one of Belgium's leading industrial dynasties.

  • Dr. Paul Janssen: The Visionary Entrepreneur Behind a 300 Million Euro Fortune and a Pharmaceutical Legacy

    Dr. Paul Janssen, founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, is one of the most influential figures in the Belgian pharmaceutical industry. With a legacy estimated at over 300 million euros, Janssen revolutionized medicine with innovative medicines, while remaining a central figure in the company after its takeover by Johnson & Johnson. In addition to his medical contributions, he left a significant cultural imprint, with a unique collection of pre-Columbian art. Discover how this visionary built a pharmaceutical empire while influencing Belgian art and economics.

  • Emsens family: 1.1 billion euros and a deep industrial heritage in sand mining

    The Emsens family, pillars of the SCR-Sibelco group, have fashioned an industrial empire centered on the extraction of quartz sand used in glass production. With assets estimated at 1.1 billion euros, SCR-Sibelco is a little-known but key player in the global mining industry. Their influence extends across Europe, the United States and Mexico, while navigating contemporary challenges such as subsidiary restructuring and global market fluctuations. Discover how this Belgian dynasty continues to influence the economy while adapting to new realities.

  • Alexandre Van Damme: From Family Inheritance to a 10 Billion Euro Fortune

    Alexandre Van Damme, heir to a long Belgian brewing tradition, has transformed the small family brewery into a global giant, AB InBev. With an estimated fortune of over 10 billion euros, he is the second-richest Belgian. Renowned for his strategic vision and discreet leadership, Van Damme has diversified his investments into global companies such as Kraft Heinz and Douwe Egberts, while remaining a key figure in the beverage industry. Find out how Alexandre combined family tradition and innovation to become a key figure in the business world.

  • The Fabri Dynasty: A Major and Controversial Influence with a Fortune of 350 Million Euros

    The Fabri family, rooted in the banking and plantation sectors, is an influential and controversial Belgian dynasty. Founded by financiers such as Charles Fabri, it has weathered financial and political scandals while building an empire estimated at over 300 million euros. Under the leadership of Hubert Fabri, the family has navigated between economic success and legal wrangling, not least thanks to strategic alliances with the likes of Vincent Bolloré. Find out how the Fabri family has maintained its influence and wealth despite the challenges.

  • Willemen family: the 750-million-euro construction empire undergoing a metamorphosis

    The Willemen family, at the head of a construction empire estimated at 750 million euros in annual sales, is navigating through a crucial period of transformation. Founded by Johan Willemen, the Willemen Group has established itself as a construction giant in Belgium, with over 2,100 employees. Despite recent challenges, including a loss of 35 million euros in 2022, the company is demonstrating its resilience by refocusing on the Belgian market. With a family fortune in excess of 53 million euros, the Willemen are a perfect example of how a family business can adapt to the turbulence of the construction sector, while maintaining its leading position in key areas such as infrastructure and real estate.

  • De Raedt-Verheyden family: Colossal 1.7-billion-euro empire in biotechnology

    Gino De Raedt and Frederica Verheyden have built a financial empire estimated at over 1.7 billion euros, from a simple medical laboratory in 1978 to major players in European biotechnology. Their journey, marked by strategic acquisitions and a spectacular merger with Biogroup, illustrates an exceptional entrepreneurial vision. With record dividends and diversified investments in real estate and private equity, the De Raedt-Verheyden couple have become one of Belgium's largest fortunes, while preparing for the future with their daughter Ann. Their story embodies the perfect blend of scientific innovation and financial genius.

  • Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick: The 41-Million-Euro Titanic Empire in Senior Care

    Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick, founders of Senior Assist in 2006, have built an empire in the elderly care sector, valued at over 41 million euros. Their company manages 32 residential care centers and 147 assisted living facilities in Belgium, accommodating nearly 2,800 residents and employing 1,800 people. Despite international expansion and service diversification, Senior Assist encountered financial difficulties in 2017, leading to the sale of certain assets. The company, structured with a plurality of shareholders and present in Luxembourg, illustrates the challenges and opportunities of the senior care sector, which is constantly evolving to meet the needs of an aging population.

  • Marouane Fellaini: From Field to 75 Million Euro Financial Empire

    Marouane Fellaini, born in Etterbeek in 1987, has charted a remarkable course from professional soccer to entrepreneurship. An iconic midfielder for clubs such as Everton and Manchester United, he has also shone with the Belgian national team. Beyond the pitch, Fellaini has demonstrated a flair for business, wisely investing in real estate, various businesses and even a luxury boutique in Brussels. His sporting career, crowned by trophies such as the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League, has continued harmoniously in the business world. With assets estimated at over 75 million euros, Fellaini is the epitome of a successful athlete turned savvy entrepreneur.