Discover the incredible story of Dominiek Dumoulin, who transformed the family business United Petfood into a European leader in pet food, with a personal fortune in excess of 168 million euros. Thanks to an audacious acquisition strategy and a strategic partnership with Waterland, United Petfood has experienced dazzling growth, strengthening its position on the international market.
The Janssen family, one of Belgium's most influential dynasties, has positioned itself at the heart of the banking, industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. With assets estimated at over 3 billion euros, their legacy is marked by strategic alliances, notably with the Solvay group and UCB, and by rigorous management of their assets. From Daniel Janssen to Charles-Antoine Janssen, each generation has strengthened the family's grip on the Belgian economy. Discover how this family has combined tradition, innovation and strategy to become one of Belgium's wealthiest.
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, 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.
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, 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, 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 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.
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.
Since 1959, the Verstraeten family, headed by Achiel Verstraeten, has transformed the amusement sector with innovations such as the three-motor crane mechanism and token bumper cars. The Elaut company they founded has expanded from Europe to the USA, making its mark on the market with high-quality products. Discover the seven secrets that have enabled this family to build an empire valued at over 47 million euros.
