JOHANN RUPERT

Johann Rupert, the chairman of Swiss luxury conglomerate Richemont, leads an exclusive portfolio of luxury brands that includes fashion labels Azzedine Alaa, Chloé, and Dunhill, as well as established jewelry and watch companies like Van Cleef & Arpels, Vacheron Constantin, and Cartier. In 2010, the company also purchased a 100 percent stake in luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter, valuing the company at over $500 million.

Johann Rupert has the majority stake in parent business Compagnie Financière Richemont and also controls the activities of the investment company subsidiary Remgro, and is credited for spearheading Richemont's popularity within the luxury market since arriving in 1984. Richemont was formed by the South African billionaire in 1988 as a spin-off of Rembrandt Group Limited, which was founded by his father Anton Rupert in the early 1940s.

Before founding Richemont, Rupert founded Rand Merchant Bank in 1979, after working at Chase Bank in Manhattan and Lazard Frères. In 1984, the established businessman joined his father's firm Rembrandt after briefly attending the University of Stellenbosch to study economics and company law. Johann Rupert has received several awards for his commercial achievements, including the French Legion d'Honneur in 2009.

Net worth: $11 billion

Industry: Fashion and Retail

Country: South Africa