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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Johann Rupert

Rupert-Johann-2004.
Photographed by: Szekszter.

Johann Peter Rupert is a South African businessman and the eldest son of business tycoon Antony Rupert. He was born on 1st June 1950 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Johann’s father is a well-renowned business tycoon Anton Rupert and his mother is known as Huberte. He is the chairperson of the Swiss-based luxury goods company Richemont.

Johann is also the chairperson of the South Africa-based company Remgro. He is also the CEO of Compagnie Financiere Richemont since April 2010.

Johann and his family were ranked as the second richest in South Africa by Forbes in 2021. They have been estimated to have a net worth of United States dollar 7.1 billion. Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Johann Rupert:

1. Johann was Born into a Tycoon Family

Johann Rupert was born into a rich family and never grew up in poverty. His father was known as Antony Rupert and his mother Huberte.

The father of Johann Rupert was a tycoon who owned several million dollars companies. Antony Rupert was worth more than 10 billion United States Dollars.

2. Johann Dropped Out of University to Pursue Business Ambitions

Johann Rupert grew up in Stellenbosch and attended Paul Roos Gymnasium. He, later on, joined the University of Stellenbosch.

Johann Rupert was pursuing a bachelor of economics and company law. However, he dropped out of university to pursue his business ambition and career.

Later on, in 2004, the university awarded Johann Rupert with an honorary doctorate in Economics.

3. Johann Withdrew His Company Adverts from British Magazine after Bad Rating of Afrikaans Language

In September 2005, there was some controversy created by the British design magazine known as Wallpaper. The magazine described the Afrikaans language as 鈥渙ne of the ugliest in the world鈥�.

This statement from this magazine irritated Johann Rupert who took a very stern approach to this matter. Johann decided to withdraw all advertising for his company’s brands including Cartier, Van Cleff & Arpels, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill.

4. Johann is a Former Cricketer who Founded and Funds Several Projects

Johann Rupert is a sports lover and his passion is cricket and golf. He played cricket at an early age and founded several foundations.

In 1990, Johann Rupert founded the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. He also funds more than sixty-five projects across the world.

The main aim of Johann Rupert’s funding the many sports projects is to tackle social issues and help underprivileged children. Johann co-founded the Sports Science Institute and developed the Gary Player-designed Leopard Creek Golf Club in South Africa.

This golf club is one of South Africa鈥檚 top three golf courses and number 25 outside the United States of America.

5. Johann is the Chairperson of Several of SA鈥檚 Major Sports Non-Benefits Organisations

Other than playing cricket, Johann Rupert is also a lover of golf. He is a founder of some major golf courses as well as chairperson of non-benefit organisations in South Africa.

Johann is the chairperson of the South African Golf Development Board and South African PGA Tour. He played in the annual Gary Player Invitational golf tournament where he assisted in raising funds for children鈥檚 charities.

With all these participations and achievements in sports, Johann Rupert was elected into the South African Sports Hall of Fame, in 2007. In 2009, Johann was inducted into the South African Golf Hall of Fame.

6. Johann Took Over His Younger Brother鈥檚 Estate after his Death

In 2001, the younger brother of Johann Rupert, Anthonij Rupert got involved in a car accident. Anthonij was killed in this grisly road accident leaving behind much wealth.

Johann Rupert took over the L鈥橭rmarins wine estate later that year after the younger brother鈥檚 death. He went ahead and initiated a project to enhance the farm he took over in memory of the late brother.

7. Johann has a Net Worth of $7.9 Billion Through his Companies and Organisations

Johann Rupert was born in a tycoon family and got the idea of business which became his career after dropping out of university. He has invested in various sectors in South Africa as well as in other countries across the world.

Johann is 7.9 US dollars worth as per the Forbes list 2021. His major source of fortune is Cir Financiere. This is a publicly-traded luxury goods manufacturer and retailer.

It is the world鈥檚 largest luxury watchmaker. Johann Rupert also has several other sources of huge amounts of money abroad.

8. Johann was Criticised over Comments on Black South Africans Saving Habits

Even though Johann Rupert is such a renowned and rich man, he has not been spared from criticism of what he says in public. In 2018, Johann Rupert made some comments that caused a major controversy.

Johann was criticised for denying that there is the existence of white monopoly capital and his say on the process of Afrikaner economic-upliftment. He also made comments on the saving habits of black South Africans.

This took place while he was on an interview with Power FM. The intense pressure Johann Rupert received following these comments made him send apologies to the nation.

9. Johann was Labelled as a Racist and Arrogant

Several controversies were created by Johann Rupert during his interview at Power FM. Among the comments were on how poor black South Africans were in saving.

Johann Rupert engaged with the crowd in Johannesburg in a two-hour one-on-one engagement. One member of the crowd asked Rupert about the white privilege some get in South Africa.

Johann Rupert responded and caused a major controversy which made him get branded as a Racist and Arrogant. 鈥淚鈥檓 not Father Christmas that can look after the whole country.鈥� Johann Rupert stated which offended the crowd.

10. Johann Angered Swiss after Skipping Line of Elderly to Receive Covid-19 Jab

During the serge of the Covid-19 pandemic and manufacturing of the vaccine, Johann got himself in some controversy in Switzerland. Johann received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic to his family has investment ties.

This sparked controversy in Switzerland as he was not among the people who were given priority, who included the elderly. Swiss newspaper Tages Angeiger revealed Johann was among the 12 to get the jab which was not given to the wider public.

Johann鈥檚 wealth and connections raised concerns about why he had to skip the line of elderly Swiss people to get jabbed.

Other than the few controversies, Johann Rupert has been a major help to the success of several South Africans who are under his wings.