The 10 Richest People in Israel

Eyal Ofer and William Zeckendorf

Some of Israel’s richest folk were born rich. Others have made every last dime themselves. Some have made their wealth in technology. Others have amassed their fortunes through investments. The one thing that unites them all is that they’re all filthy rich and getting richer by the day. To find out who ranks as the wealthiest of them all, stay tuned as we count down the 10 richest people in Israel, all of whom are billionaires.

10. Gil Shwed – Net Worth: $3 Billion

Gil Shwed made his fortune as the co-founder and CEO of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, the world’s largest pure-play cybersecurity company and one of the leading tech companies in Israel. With a net worth of $3 billion, he ranks as the 10th richest person in Israel.

9. Arnon Milchan – Net Worth: $3.4 Billion

Arnon Milchan is a film producer and businessman who’s been involved in the making of over 130 movies (including “12 Years a Slave,” “JFK,” “The Revenant,” “Heat,” “Fight Club,” “L.A. Confidential” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) via his production company, Regency Enterprises. His net worth is believed to be $3.4 billion.

8. Naomi Alauof-Azrieli – Net Worth: $3.8 Billion

Naomi Alauof-Azriel is the daughter of David Azrieli, a self-made billionaire who established the Israeli real estate and holding company Azrieli Group. Following his death, Alauof-Azriel inherited his fortune. According to marketscreener.com, she currently serves as the President and Director at Omico Investments Ltd and Canpro Investments Ltd. She also serves as Chairman at The Brain Canada Foundation and Chief Executive Officer & Director at The Azrieli Foundation.

7. Shaul Shani – Net Worth: $3.8 Billion

The 7th richest person in Israel is Shaul Shani. According to Wikipedia, Shani, who was born in Kiryat Eliezer, Haifa in 1955, began making investments in the 1980s. In 1982, he founded Oshap Technologies. After floating the business on the NASDAQ in 1985, Shani sold it to SunGuard in 1999 for $210 million. He’s also founded several other companies, including Sapiens International Corporation, Tecnomatix, Swarth Group, and Global Village Telecom, which was sold to Vivendi in 2009 for $4.5 billion, earning him a neat personal profit of $1.5 billion. As of 2021, he’s worth $3.8 billion.

6. Shari Arison – Net Worth: $4.4 Billion

American-born Israeli businesswoman Shari Arison inherited her first fortune from her father Ted, who founded the cruise ship line, Carnival Corp. She’s since built on her initial inheritance through judicious investments in various real estate projects. She served as the controlling shareholder of Bank Hapoalim, Isreal’s largest bank, for 21 years; she sold some of her shares in 2018, but still retains a 16% stake. A noted philanthropist, she’s donated to numerous charitable foundations over the years. She’s also created The Doing Good Model, which provides guidelines for incorporating philanthropic endeavors into business practices. With a net worth of $4.4 billion, she ranks as the richest woman in Israel and the 6th richest person overall.

5. Yuri Milner – Net Worth: $4.8 Billion

Russian-Israeli entrepreneur and investor Yuri Milner is widely regarded as one of the most influential information technology investors in the world. He built his fortune as the founding chairperson of the internet company Mail.Ru Group and the founder of investment firm DST Global, through which he holds shares in a wide variety of high-profile companies, including Facebook, Spotify, Alibaba, WhatsApp, and Airbnb. He also holds personal shares in 23andMe and Planet Labs, among others. His current net worth of $4.8 billion makes him the 5th richest person in Israel.

4. Teddy Sagi – Net Worth: $5.2 Billion

Up next is Teddy Sagi, a Cypriot-Israeli billionaire businessman who’s currently believed to be worth in the region of $5.2 billion. Sagi founded his first business, Playtech, in 1999. In 2006, it was floated on the London Stock Exchange at a valuation of approximately $550 million. Since then, he’s invested in various hi-tech companies, gambling software, digital advertising, and real estate. In addition to owning multiple properties across the UK, he also owns the most expensive home in Israel. The house, which Sagi acquired in 2010, occupies a half-acre lot on Galei Techelet Street, Israel’s most expensive street. Among other things, it boasts a fitness room, a panic room, a wine cellar, and an elevator to the beach.

3. Idan Ofer – Net Worth: $6.1 Billion

Israeli billionaire businessman and philanthropist Idan Ofer ranks as the third richest person in Israel with a net worth of $6.1 billion. He made his fortune as the founding owner of Eastern Pacific Shipping, the principle of holding company Quantum Pacific Group, and as the majority shareholder of both the Israel Corporation and Kenon Holdings. Like his brother, Eyal Ofer, he was giving a headstart in life by his father, Sammy, a shipping magnate who ranked as one of the richest men in Israel at the time of his death in 2011.

2. Stef Wertheimer – Net Worth: $6.2 Billion

With a net worth that Forbes estimates to be in the region of $6.2 billion, Stef Wertheimer ranks as the 2nd richest person in Israel. He took his first steps in business in 1952, when he established a small metal shop and tool-making company called ISCAR in his backyard. The company quickly became a success, and it now ranks as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbide industrial-cutting tools. Its subsidiary, ISCAR Technology, is one of the largest producers of blades and vanes for jet engines. In 2006, Wertheimer sold 80% of ISCAR to Berkshire Hathaway for $4 billion. In 2013, he sold the remaining 20% for $2.05 billion. In 2014, he sold his controlling interest in ISCAR Technology to Pratt & Whitney for an undisclosed figure. Having largely retired from business, he now concentrates on promoting peace in the Middle East.

1. Eyal Ofer – Net Worth: $11.1 Billion

The richest person in Israel by a clean mile is Eyal Ofer. Ofer is the son of Sammy Ofer, a Romanian-born Israeli billionaire who made millions in the shipping industry. Following his death, Ofer took over the running of the family business. In the years since, he’s expanded its holdings significantly. Through his role as chairman of the Monaco-based Ofer Global, he has interests in shipping, technology, banking, real estate, and investment. He also owns numerous luxury properties in Manhattan via Global Holdings and, through Zodiac group, owns and operates over 160 ships. His net worth is a staggering $11.1 billion.

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