Despite the strong impact on the economy, the wealthiest individuals in Colombia have continued to increase their fortunes, as revealed by the April Forbes list.
Leading the pack is David Vélez, co-founder of the digital bank Nubank, with a fortune of $11.5 billion, ranking him 175th globally. Vélez’s success story began with a bold venture over a decade ago, and Nubank now boasts 90 million clients across countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
Jaime Gilinski Bacal comes in second on the Forbes list in Colombia, with a net worth of $7.8 billion. Gilinski has built a banking empire through strategic mergers and acquisitions, solidifying his position as a key player in Latin America.
Meanwhile, Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo, formerly the leader of the Colombian Forbes list, now holds the third spot with a fortune of $7.2 billion. Sarmiento built Grupo Aval, gaining control of a significant portion of Colombia’s banking sector.
Beatriz Dávila de Santo Domingo, widow of the late Colombian beer magnate Julio Mario Santo Domingo, ranks fourth. Through her family’s holdings, she acquired a stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the world‘s largest beer manufacturers.
On the other hand, the fortune of the late Carlos Ardila Lülle, who passed away in 2021, has been distributed among his heirs, leading to his exclusion from the latest Forbes list. Ardila Lülle’s diverse business empire includes RCN Televisión, Postobón, and Atlético Nacional.
The latest Forbes list highlights the resilience of Colombia’s wealthiest individuals in navigating economic challenges and growing their fortunes amidst adversity.