As 2026 begins, the narrative surrounding South African billionaire Johann Rupert has shifted from one of legacy maintenance to one of aggressive, strategic evolution. Rupert, the chairman of Swiss-based luxury conglomerate Richemont and the Stellenbosch-rooted investment giant Remgro, has entered the year with a net worth estimated between $16.3 billion and $19.3 billion (approximately R300 billion to R340 billion). This wealth surge is not merely a byproduct of market inflation but the result of a deliberate “house cleaning” that has seen the Rupert family exit its founding industry while doubling down on essential services and high-end jewelry.
The Great Tobacco Exit
The most historic milestone in Rupert’s recent trajectory was the final, absolute divestment from the tobacco industry. For nearly 80 years, the Rupert name was synonymous with the Rembrandt Group’s tobacco empire. However, in early 2025, Rupert’s investment vehicle Reinet sold its remaining 43.3 million shares in British American Tobacco (BAT), netting approximately £1.22 billion (R28 billion).
This move was more than a financial transaction; it was a symbolic pivot. By shedding the “sin stocks” that built the family’s initial fortune, Rupert has successfully repositioned his portfolio toward ESG-conscious (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sectors, particularly luxury goods and healthcare. The liquidity from this sale has provided a massive war chest for Reinet to diversify into private equity and land development in the United States.
The Mediclinic Masterstroke
While his global reputation is tied to Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Rupert’s most consequential move for the South African economy is currently unfolding within Remgro. In a bold restructuring announced in late 2025 and moving toward finalization in 2026, Remgro is set to take 100% ownership of Mediclinic’s Southern African operations.
This deal involves a strategic “swap” with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Under the proposed terms, MSC’s subsidiary will take full control of Hirslanden (Mediclinic’s Swiss arm), while Remgro assumes total command of the South African hospital network. This move signals Rupert’s immense confidence in the South African private healthcare market despite the looming uncertainties of the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill. By “onshoring” the control of these assets, Rupert is betting that localized agility and deep-rooted partnerships with South African clinicians will yield higher margins than a fragmented international model.
Richemont: The Jewellery Juggernaut
On the global stage, Rupert’s Richemont has shown remarkable resilience in a volatile luxury market. While the “specialist watchmaking” sector—including brands like IWC and Panerai—faced a softening in demand throughout 2025, the group’s “Jewellery Maisons” (Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels) have carried the portfolio.
Richemont’s recent financial reports highlight double-digit growth in the Americas and the Middle East, offsetting a slower recovery in Greater China. Rupert has also overseen a significant leadership transition, appointing a new Group CEO and expanding the Senior Executive Committee to include the heads of the most profitable Maisons. This “jewelry-first” strategy has pushed Richemont’s market capitalization to nearly R2 trillion on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, making it the bedrock of the Rupert family fortune.
A Portfolio of the Future
Beyond healthcare and luxury, Rupert’s influence continues to expand through Remgro’s diverse holdings. Notable highlights for 2026 include:
- Infrastructure: The Maziv deal (the merger of Vumatel/DFA with Vodacom’s fiber assets) has finally cleared regulatory hurdles, positioning Remgro as a primary player in South Africa’s digital infrastructure.
- Banking & Insurance: Remgro continues to benefit from robust performances by FirstRand and OUTsurance, which reported profit jumps as interest rates began a slow descent in late 2025.
- Media: The unbundling and separate listing of eMedia Holdings (e.tv) has further refined Remgro’s focus on industrial and financial core assets.
Johann Rupert remains a polarizing but undeniably pivotal figure in the global economy. As he navigates his mid-70s, his 2026 playbook is clear: simplify the holdings, dominate the local healthcare landscape, and maintain the “hard luxury” crown.
What about his influence in South African politics?