The de Mévius family: a fortune of over 4 billion euros and historical influence in Belgium
Mevius family
The Mévius family is one of the three main shareholder families of the multinational AB InBev brewery. It is, however, the smallest of these family groups. Their wealth stems mainly from the marriage of Eugène de Mévius to Amélie Willems, a shareholder in the Stella Artois brewery. This marriage produced three children, and it is the intermarriage of these children with other influential families that has shaped the current de Mévius fortune.
Key elements of the Mévius family :
Fortunes : 4 371 560 000 €
Activity Wealth management
Planting : London
Current position TOP 5 richest Belgians
Eugène and Amélie's children are two daughters and a son. One of their daughters married a descending from the Spoelberch family, another major AB InBev shareholder. This marriage transferred a significant part of the de Mévius family fortune to the de Spoelberchs. Elisabeth Willems, Amélie's daughter, also married Adolphe de Spoelberch, strengthening the ties between the two families.
The union of these families insignia a strong base in the field of Belgian brewing. In addition, a grandson of Werner and a granddaughter of de Mévius sealed this matrimonial alliance. Another descendant joined forces with the noble de der Straten Ponthoz family. This branch was absorbed by the Van Damme family, another key AB InBev shareholder.
The current head of the de Mévius family, Frédéric de Mévius, heads the holding company Verlinvest. Verlinvest focuses on managing the family's dividends and investing in sectors other than brewing. The holding amounts to 2 billion euros, with growth prospects of up to 5 billion euros. Verlinvest's business model is characterized by a collective approach to decision-making, valuing family entrepreneurship. The de Mevius family remains a very important member of AB Inbev, justifying its assets of over 3.5 billion euros.
Influential families and marriages :
- Eugène de Mévius and Amélie Willems | Brasserie Stella Artois
- Elisabeth Willems | Adolphe de Spoelberch
- Werner de Spoelberch | Granddaughter of Mévius
- Descendants of Mévius | Family de der Straten Ponthoz (later acquired by Alexandre Van Damme)
Gregory de Mévius, one of the most influential figures, retained a share of 17% in the brewing group, which he passed on to his male descendants.
Frédéric de Mévius highlights a strong affiliation with the family's organic roots. They have converted 250 hectares to organic farming and built a brand called Terres de Renaissance.. This transition demonstrated that organic farming could compete profitably with traditional methods, thanks to a local sales strategy and a higher selling price.
Key moments :
- 2004 AB InBev floats on the stock exchange, substantially increasing its value.
- 2007 Alexandre Van Damme becomes the richest Belgian.
- 2020 Collapse of AB InBev's value due to the COVID-19 pandemic, severely impacting family fortunes.
Prominent family members continue to play crucial roles not only through their shareholding in AB InBev, but also in other investment projects and agricultural initiatives. This places the de Mévius family in an influential position among Belgium's aristocratic and industrial families.
Summary of Key Players :
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Eugène de Mévius | Patriarch and key figure in the strategic marriage with Amélie Willems. |
| Amélie Willems | Known for its link with the Stella Artois brewery. |
| Elisabeth Willems | Married to Adolphe de Spoelberch, strengthening family ties. |
| Frédéric de Mévius | Current head of the family, manages Verlinvest. |
| Alexandre Van Damme | Major player and former richest Belgian, principal shareholder of AB InBev. |
The de Mévius have also shown a strong commitment to the environment, demonstrating that family values go beyond the mere accumulation of wealth. By their example, they remain a local family with a global influence, keeping one foot in tradition and the other in contemporary innovation. The de Mevius family has a fortune of over 4 billion euros. They are one of the richest families in Belgium.
