What is Ernesto Bertarelli’s Net Worth?
Ernesto Bertarelli, a Swiss-Italian entrepreneur and businessman, has an estimated net worth of $11.2 billion. The foundation of Bertarelli’s wealth stems from his family’s pharmaceutical company, Serono, which he inherited and subsequently transformed into a biotechnology powerhouse.
Under his leadership as CEO from 1996 to 2007, Serono’s revenues grew dramatically, increasing from $809 million to $2.8 billion. The sale of Serono to Merck KGaA in 2007 for $13.3 billion significantly boosted the Bertarelli family’s wealth.
Since the sale of Serono, Bertarelli has diversified his investments through various ventures. He manages his wealth primarily through B-Flexion (formerly Waypoint Capital), an investment firm that oversees a range of businesses in asset management, real estate, and healthcare. His investment portfolio includes stakes in biotechnology firms, real estate, and other sectors, contributing to the growth of his net worth over the years.
In addition to his business ventures, Bertarelli is known for his philanthropic activities through the Bertarelli Foundation, which focuses on marine conservation and neuroscience research.
Here’s the breakdown of Ernesto Bertarelli’s net worth:
Name: | Ernesto Bertarelli |
Net Worth: | $11.2 Billion |
Date of Birth: | 22 September 1965 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
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Early Life
Ernesto Bertarelli was born on September 22, 1965, in Rome, Italy, to Fabio Bertarelli and Maria Iris. His family moved to Switzerland in 1977, where he attended school and later developed a passion for sailing on Lake Geneva.
Bertarelli’s early exposure to the family business, Serono, began at a young age, accompanying his father on business trips and learning the intricacies of the pharmaceutical industry.
He graduated from Babson College in 1989 with a degree in business administration and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1993.
Career
Bertarelli’s career is most notably marked by his leadership of Serono, a company founded by his grandfather in 1906. He joined Serono in 1985, holding various positions before becoming CEO in 1996.
Under his leadership, Serono shifted its focus from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology, significantly increasing its revenues. The company became renowned for its treatments for female infertility, multiple sclerosis, and growth hormone deficiency.
In 2007, Bertarelli orchestrated the sale of Serono to Merck KGaA for $13.3 billion, a move that greatly increased his family’s wealth. Post-Serono, Bertarelli has managed his investments through B-Flexion (formerly Waypoint Capital), focusing on healthcare, real estate, and asset management.
Philanthropy
Ernesto Bertarelli is deeply involved in philanthropy, primarily through the Bertarelli Foundation, which he co-chairs with his sister, Dona.
Established in 1998 in memory of their father, the foundation initially focused on healthcare and life sciences but has since expanded to include marine conservation and neuroscience research.
The foundation has supported numerous initiatives, including the creation of the largest marine reserve in the Indian Ocean and significant contributions to Harvard Medical School.
Personal Life
Ernesto Bertarelli’s personal life is marked by his passion for sailing and his family. He married Kirsty Roper, a former Miss UK, in 2000, and they have three children together. The couple announced their divorce in 2021.
Bertarelli founded the yachting team Alinghi in 2000, which won the America’s Cup in 2003 and successfully defended it in 2007.
His achievements in sailing have earned him prestigious awards, including the Légion d’Honneur from France and the Cavaliere di Gran Croce from Italy.
Bertarelli resides in Gstaad, Switzerland, and continues to be active in both his business ventures and philanthropic activities.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
