The American business magazine Forbes has released its annual rich list for 2024, naming the Netherlands’ wealthiest and most successful entrepreneur in its yearly ranking. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, the great-granddaughter of Heineken founder Gerard Adriaan Heineken and the owner of a 25 percent controlling interest in the company, remains at the top of the list. 

Forbes’ 2024 Richest People in the World list

Forbes’ annual publication has this year found that there are more billionaires than ever in 2024 - a total of 2.781. That means that in the last year, 141 more people have become billionaires than in 2023, and 26 more than the previous record number of billionaires set in 2021. 

There are not only more billionaires than ever, but they are also richer than ever, with an aggregated wealth of 14,2 trillion US Dollars - up 2 trillion dollars on 2023’s figures and 1,1 trillion dollars against the 2021 record.

The U.S. boasts the highest number of billionaires, with 813 of the world’s ultra-wealthy residing in the States, followed by China, which boasts 473 billionaires. India comes in third place for billionaires per country, with the country having a total of 200 billionaires - a record for the South Asian nation. 

Dutch billionaires made their money in a wide variety of ways

According to the magazine, Dutch billionaires made their billions in many different ways. While Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken and family gained their 14,1 billion US dollars of wealth from the brewing company Heineken, Dutch number two Frits Goldschmeding has a net worth of 6,2 billion from running a temp agency. In third place, the Netherlands has Jean-Louis van der Velde, with 3,9 billion dollars net worth made from the cryptocurrency sector. 

Many other wealthy Dutch business people made their riches from software, manufacturing, real estate and shipbuilding, among other industries. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken remains the only woman on the list of billionaires in the Netherlands.

Top 10 richest people in the Netherlands

According to the ranking, these are the top 10 richest people in the Netherlands in terms of net worth:

• 1. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken and family
• 2. Frits Goldschmeding
• 3. Jean-Louis van der Velde
• 4. Wim van der Leegte and family
• 5. Arnout Schuijff
• 6. Hans Melchers
• 7. Krommer Damen 
• 8. Pieter van der Does
• 9. Lesley Bamburger 
• 10. John de Mol

For more information about their wealth or for the full rankings, visit the Forbes website.