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Power Couple Steers MSC to the Top
Gianluigi Aponte and his wife Rafaela Aponte-Diamant are the co-founders of MSC Group. They have become the shipping industry’s wealthiest individuals, according to Forbes’ 2024 list. Each holding a 50% stake in the Swiss-based shipping giant, their combined net worth reaches a staggering $66.2 billion.
Self-Made Success Story
This impressive fortune positions them as the 48th richest people globally. Their combined wealth could even land them the 23rd spot. Aponte-Diamant, a self-made billionaire, stands out as the world’s wealthiest woman. She built her fortune herself, far surpassing newcomer Taylor Swift.
Their entrepreneurial journey began in 1970 when the couple co-founded MSC. Aponte, initially working as a ferry captain, secured funding to launch the company. Their second ship was even named after Rafaela, a testament to her role in the company’s success.
MSC’s Global Reach
Today, MSC Group encompasses not only container shipping (the world’s largest) but also a thriving cruise line (MSC Cruises, where Rafaela oversees ship design) and other logistics services.
While the Apontes reign supreme in shipping wealth, there’s still a gap to the overall top spot held by French luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault and his family, whose wealth reaches a staggering $233 billion. Tech titans Elon Musk (Tesla and SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon) follow closely behind.
Other Notable Names in Shipping
Within the shipping industry itself, Russian tycoon Vladimir Lisin (metals and mining) ranks 70th with $26.6 billion, followed by the Ofer brothers – Eyal Ofer (Zodiac Maritime) at 84th with $24 billion and Idan Ofer (Eastern Pacific Shipping) at 120th with $15.8 billion. Rounding out the list are Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest (bulkers) at 101st with $19 billion and Cypriot shipping investor John Fredriksen (tankers, bulkers, LNG carriers) at 108th with $16.9 billion.
A Year of Growth for the Wealthy
Overall, Forbes reports a record-breaking year for billionaires. The number of individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 billion has risen to 2,781, a significant increase from 2023. Their combined wealth has also hit an all-time high of $14.2 trillion, reflecting a substantial growth of $2 trillion within a year.