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What is Idan Ofer’s Net Worth?
Idan Ofer, an Israeli billionaire businessman and philanthropist, has an estimated net worth of $13.9 billion. Ofer’s wealth primarily stems from his extensive involvement in the shipping industry, a legacy he inherited from his father, Sammy Ofer, who was a prominent shipping magnate.
Idan Ofer is the founder and principal of the Quantum Pacific Group, a holding company with interests in shipping, energy, mining, and sports.
He also holds significant stakes in several major companies, including a majority share in the Israel Corporation and Kenon Holdings, both of which are listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
In addition to his business ventures, Ofer has made substantial investments in sports. He owns a 33% stake in Atlético Madrid, a prominent football club in Spain’s La Liga, and an 85% stake in FC Famalicão, a club in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
Ofer’s philanthropic efforts are notable as well. He has made significant contributions to various educational and cultural institutions. In 2013, he donated £25 million to the London Business School, resulting in the establishment of the Sammy Ofer Centre in honor of his father.
He has also supported the Jewish Museum London and launched a maritime scholarship fund in Singapore. Through the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation, he continues to support social issues in health, education, and culture across the U.S., U.K., and Israel.
Despite his success, Ofer has faced controversies, particularly regarding environmental concerns related to his chemical factories and his lavish lifestyle.
Here’s the breakdown of Idan Ofer’s net worth:
Name: | Idan Ofer |
Net Worth: | $13.9 Billion |
Date of Birth: | October 2, 1955 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
Idan Ofer was born on October 2, 1955, in Haifa, Israel, into a family deeply rooted in the shipping industry. He is the son of Sammy Ofer, a prominent Israeli shipping magnate who immigrated to Israel from Romania. Growing up in Haifa, Idan was exposed to the world of shipping from an early age, which would later shape his career path.
Ofer’s upbringing was marked by his family’s Ashkenazi Jewish (Romanian-Jewish) heritage. As part of his mandatory military service, he served in the Israeli Navy as a deputy commander of a patrol boat, gaining valuable leadership experience. This naval background would later prove beneficial in his business ventures.
Following his military service, Ofer pursued higher education. He graduated from the University of Haifa with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Shipping, laying the foundation for his future in the maritime industry.
Later, in the 1980s, he furthered his education by obtaining an MBA from the London Business School, equipping himself with advanced business knowledge.
Business Career
Idan Ofer’s business career is characterized by strategic expansions and diversified investments. He began by expanding his family’s shipping business in Hong Kong during the 1980s, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit early on. His career trajectory saw him working in various locations, including Singapore and the United States, gaining international business experience.
Ofer’s most significant business venture is the Quantum Pacific Group, a holding company he founded and serves as the principal of. Through this entity, he has invested in various sectors, including shipping, energy, and mining.
He also holds majority stakes in several major companies, including the Israel Corporation and Kenon Holdings, both of which are publicly traded.
His leadership roles have been numerous and impactful. Ofer served as Chairman of Israel Corporation from 1999 to 2010 and was a member of its board of directors until 2013.
In 2014, he established Kenon Holdings as a spin-off from Israel Corporation, focusing on growth-oriented businesses in the automotive and energy industries.
Sports
Idan Ofer’s business interests extend beyond traditional industries into the world of sports, particularly football. His investments in this sector demonstrate both his passion for the sport and his strategic approach to diversifying his portfolio.
In 2018, Ofer made a significant move into football ownership by purchasing a 51% stake in FC Famalicão, a Portuguese football club. He later increased his ownership to 85% in 2019. Under Ofer’s ownership, the club experienced a remarkable turnaround, achieving promotion to Portugal’s top-tier football league, the Primeira Liga, in 2019.
Ofer’s involvement in football is not limited to Portugal. He also owns a substantial 33% stake in Atlético Madrid, one of Spain’s most prominent football clubs competing in La Liga.
Most recently, in 2024, Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping became an official sponsor of FC Imabari, a football club based in the Japanese city known for its large shipyard.
Controversies
Idan Ofer has faced several controversies throughout his career, primarily related to environmental concerns and his lifestyle. One of the most significant criticisms has been directed at the pollution caused by his chemical factories in Israel. These facilities have been accused of contributing to environmental degradation, leading to public outcry and scrutiny from environmental groups and regulatory bodies.
In 2014, an Israeli television show raised questions about the possible engagement of services from an intelligence firm by one of Ofer’s companies. Although the show could not conclusively prove these claims, it added to the controversies surrounding his business practices.
More recently, in 2023, the Ministry of Environmental Protection in Israel published a report listing organizations considered high-risk for environmental violations. After Ofer sold his shares in Oil Refineries, he was still associated with one company featured on this list, further highlighting ongoing environmental concerns.
Philanthropy
Despite the controversies, Idan Ofer is also known for his significant philanthropic contributions, often channeled through the Idan & Batia Ofer Family Foundation. The foundation focuses on improving society through initiatives in health, education, welfare, and the arts, particularly projects that benefit children.
One of the foundation’s most notable contributions was a $42 million donation to the London Business School in 2013, which led to the establishment of the Sammy Ofer Centre in honor of his late father.
The foundation has also made substantial donations to medical research and institutions. For instance, it has supported Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv and funded cancer research led by Professor Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, one of Israel’s leading scientists. In the realm of education, the foundation has provided scholarships for Israeli and Palestinian students at the Harvard Kennedy School and funded a maritime scholarship fund in Singapore.
Ofer’s philanthropic efforts extend to cultural institutions as well. He and his wife, Batia, have been long-term supporters of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, sponsoring programs that provide access to art for young people. They have also supported the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Israel by funding the construction of a new art wing.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the foundation funded the evacuation of 600 Ukrainian families to Bulgaria, providing them with essential supplies and developing a school for the children.
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.
