Portrait of Christoffel Wiese

Rank #2234

Christoffel Wiese

Net worth $1.9B

retail · South Africa

Born
Sep 10, 1941
Age
84
Source
retail
Residence
Cape Town
Citizenship
South Africa
Marital status
Married
Children
3
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Stellenbosch; LLB, University of Stellenbosch

Net worth over time

Biography

  • Christoffel Wiese built his Pepkor retail empire by offering bargain prices in South Africa, later expanding into other African countries.
  • In 2015, South Africa-based furniture retailer Steinhoff International spent $5.7 billion in cash and stock to acquire Pepkor.
  • He stepped down as Steinhoff chairman in December 2017 after the company disclosed accounting irregularities. Its share price plummeted and Wiese lost his billionaire status.
  • Wiese regained his 9-figure fortune 2022 when he settled his dispute with Steinhoff for cash and stock, including a 5% stake in Pepkor.
  • His most valuable asset is Shoprite, but he also holds stakes in real estate firm Collins Property Group, investment holding company Brait and industrial products distributor Invicta Holdings.
  • In March 2023, Brait spun off food manufacturer Premier Group in an IPO on the Johannesburg stock exchange; Wiese owns about 47% of the shares.
  • Wiese's father owned a sheep and cattle farm and a car dealership.
  • Wiese studied law at Stellenbosch University but switched gears to go into business.

Financial assets

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