It is a ranking that evolves regularly, but which continues to interest the whole world. For several years now, several people have been competing for the honorary place of the richest man, or woman, on the planet. For a long time, the title belonged to Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, but in recent years, other personalities have emerged. Founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos made a sensational entry into this ranking and today, his fortune amounts to more than 220 billion dollars. On the French side, Bernard Arnault is also very well placed with more than 160 billion, while Donald Trump's future minister, Elon Musk, would earn nearly 320 billion.
Men known throughout the world and who do not hesitate to show themselves publicly, especially for the last mentioned, but one of their main competitors decided to be as discreet as possible. At 88 years old, Amancio Ortega Gaona could stroll peacefully through the streets of Paris without anyone recognizing him and yet, with a personal fortune estimated at $123 billionthe Spanish businessman is the second richest man in Europe behind Bernard Arnault. Common point of the two men, they both did fortune in textilesbut if the family from the north of France specializes in luxury and haute couture, the billionaire based near La Coruña, in Galicia, has become the king of fast fashion.
Avec Zara, Amancio Ortega Gaona founded an empire
Son of a Spanish railway worker and a domestic mother, Amancio Ortega Gaona grew up in a very modest environment and due to the poverty of the family, he was not able to complete his studies and at the age of 13, he started working as a courier in a textile store. In 1975, with his wife at the time, Rosalia Mera, he opened his first store, named Zara. The beginning of a success story for the couple, who will open 5 more in four years. Today, it is one of the most recognized brands worldwide and the group founded by Amancio Ortega Gaona has more than 5,500 stores across the planet.
In 2011, the Spanish businessman left his position as president, but remained the largest shareholder of Zara with 59.3% of shares and managed in the shadows. His daughter Marta takes over the reins of the company in April 2022.
