Belgium

  • 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 Holvoet Family: From Steel Transformation to a Fortune of 66 Million Euros

    The Holvoet family, with roots in Belgium and France, has built a fortune estimated at over 66 million euros thanks to its expertise in steel processing. With solid bases in Aalbeke and Kortrijk, the family business excels in steel processing and the production of steel structures. Find out how the Holvoets have leveraged new technologies and an innovation-driven customer strategy to become a major player in the metal industry.

  • 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.

  • Putteman family: From Belchim to a 57 million euro fortune in the crop protection industry

    Founded in 1987 by Dirk Putteman, Belchim Crop Protection has become a major player in the distribution of crop protection products in Europe. Despite financial challenges and the loss of its founder, the company continues to prosper thanks to strategic partnerships and a strong international presence. The Putteman family, with an estimated fortune of over 57 million euros, embodies innovation and resilience in the agricultural sector. Discover how their heritage and strategy have shaped a world-renowned company.

  • Roger Dick: From Dicogel to Roger & Roger, a Frozen Vegetable and Chips Empire Worth 75 Million Euros

    Roger Dick, from an influential family in the frozen vegetable industry, has diversified and strengthened the family heritage with the Dicogel and Roger & Roger companies. Based in Staden, West Flanders, these companies rank among the 320 largest in Belgium, with assets totaling €74,906,000. Find out how Roger navigated economic and health challenges to build a thriving empire in the frozen food and potato chips sectors.

  • Michel Dick: The Visionary Behind Westfro and a Fortune of 55 Million Euros

    Michel Dick, co-founder of Westfro in 1971 in Staden, transformed a frozen vegetable company into a major player in the sector. Alongside Georges De Geest and André Talpe, Dick built a successful company, overcoming family and industrial challenges. Today, Westfro, under the management of the second generation, embodies Michel Dick's legacy of innovation and perseverance, having built a fortune of over 55 million.

  • Thomas Baert: Flooring revolutionary with a 73 million euro fortune

    Belgian-born Thomas Baert made his mark on the Asian flooring industry by founding Chinafloors and Rugmax in Beijing. With around 1,300 employees, his company Creative Flooring Solutions (CFL) enjoys a global presence, with production sites in Vietnam, the USA, China and Taiwan. Thanks to its commitment to innovation and sustainable development, Baert has built up a fortune of over 73 million euros. Discover how its innovative brands, such as Firmfit, Novocore and Tenacity, have revolutionized the flooring market.