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What is Stefan Persson’s Net Worth?
Stefan Persson, the Swedish billionaire businessman and former chairman of fashion retail giant H&M, has an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion. Persson’s wealth is primarily derived from his significant stake in H&M, the company founded by his father Erling Persson in 1947. Stefan Persson owns approximately 36% of H&M’s shares, making him the company’s largest shareholder. This substantial ownership has been the cornerstone of his wealth, as H&M has grown into one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.
In addition to his H&M holdings, Persson has diversified his wealth through other investments. He owns a substantial stake in the Swedish technology company Hexagon AB and has significant real estate holdings through his privately held company, Ramsbury Invest. These properties span across major cities such as London, Paris, and Stockholm.
Here’s the breakdown of Stefan Persson’s net worth:
Name: | Stefan Persson |
Net Worth: | $16.7 Billion |
Date of Birth: | October 4, 1947 |
Profession: | Businessperson, Business magnate |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life and Education
Stefan Persson was born on October 4, 1947 in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the son of Erling Persson, who founded the fashion retail company H&M in 1947, the same year Stefan was born.
Growing up, Stefan was exposed to the retail and fashion industry through his father’s business. For his higher education, Persson attended Stockholm University, where he obtained an associate degree in arts and science.
H&M
H&M has been the primary source of Stefan Persson’s immense wealth. He joined the company in 1972 and took over from his father as CEO in 1982, serving in that role until 1998.
Under his leadership, H&M experienced significant global expansion, transforming from a Swedish retailer into an international fashion powerhouse. Persson then served as chairman of H&M from 1998 until May 2020, when he was succeeded by his son Karl-Johan.
Even after stepping down as chairman, Persson remains H&M’s largest shareholder, owning approximately 36% of the company’s shares. This substantial ownership stake in H&M, which generates around $24 billion in annual revenue, forms the core of Persson’s net worth.
The company’s success and global reach have been instrumental in making Persson one of the wealthiest individuals in Sweden and the world.
Other Business Endeavors
While H&M is the primary source of Persson’s wealth, he has diversified his investments through other business ventures. Notably, he owns a significant stake in Hexagon AB, a Swedish technology company.
In addition, Persson runs a privately held real estate company called Ramsbury Invest. Through this company, he owns numerous properties in major European cities including Stockholm, London, and Paris.
In 2009, Persson even acquired the entire village of Linkenholt in Hampshire, England for around £25 million. His real estate holdings contribute significantly to his overall net worth and showcase his strategy of diversifying his wealth beyond H&M.
Personal Life
Stefan Persson resides in Stockholm, Sweden with his second wife, Denise Persson (née Florman). From his first marriage to Pamela Collett, Persson has three children: Karl-Johan, Charlotte, and Tom, all of whom have become billionaires in their own right.
Persson is known for his philanthropic efforts. He co-founded the Mentor Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to prevent substance abuse among youth. He has also made significant contributions to the H&M Foundation, which focuses on education and environmental sustainability within the fashion industry.
In his personal time, Persson enjoys activities such as downhill skiing, tennis, and golf.
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.