Amancio Ortega

$132.76 B

Ranked #13 in World

About Amancio Ortega

Amancio Ortega Gaona, the luminary behind Zara and a powerhouse in global retail, is Spain's wealthiest tycoon with a $73 billion fortune as of November 2023. The entrepreneurial icon, who started as a shop hand, founded Inditex, growing it into a leading fashion empire, and was briefly the world's richest in 2015. Ortega, born in 1936, vacated Inditex's chair in 2011 to focus on extensive philanthropy and real estate investments, including the famed Torre Picasso.

Born

March 28, 1936

Age

90 years

Source Of Wealth

Zara

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Spain

Residence

La Coruna

Amancio Ortega Gaona was born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbas, León, Spain. He was the youngest of four children and spent his childhood in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa. Due to his father's job as a railway worker, Ortega left school at the age of 14 and moved to A Coruña. There, he worked as a shop hand for a local shirtmaker, where he learned the intricacies of clothing production.

Amancio Ortega: Family

Ortega married Rosalía Mera Goyenechea in 1966, and they had two children together. However, the couple divorced in 1986. In 2001, Ortega married his second wife, Flora Pérez Marcote, and they had a daughter. Despite his wealth and success, Ortega prefers to maintain a low profile and rarely gives interviews.

Amancio Ortega: Career Highlights

In 1963, Ortega founded Confecciones Goa, a company that sold quilted bathrobes. In 1975, he opened his first Zara store with his then-wife, Rosalía Mera. Zara's success led to the creation of the Inditex group (Industrias de Diseño Textil Sociedad Anónima) in 2009, which included brands like Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Zara Home, Pull and Bear, Bershka, and more. Ortega announced his retirement from Inditex in 2011 and was succeeded by Pablo Isla.

Amancio Ortega: Companies

Ortega is the founder and former chairman of the Inditex fashion group, which owns several popular clothing and accessories brands, including Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Zara Home, Pull and Bear, and Stradivarius. Inditex is one of the largest fashion retailers in the world.

Amancio Ortega: Major Achievements

Ortega's major achievements include building Inditex into a global fashion empire and becoming one of the wealthiest people in the world. He briefly held the title of the richest man in the world in 2015, surpassing Bill Gates. Ortega is also known for his philanthropic activities, including donations to Caritas Internationalis and cancer research.

Amancio Ortega: Awards & Achievements

Ortega has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the fashion industry and his philanthropic efforts.

Some of his notable awards include the Gold Medal of Merit in Labor from the Spanish government and the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.

Amancio Ortega: Personal Life & Legacy

Ortega is known for his private nature and simple lifestyle. He prefers to avoid the spotlight and rarely gives interviews. Despite his immense wealth, Ortega is known for his humble demeanor and his preference for simple dressing, often wearing a uniform of a blue blazer, white shirt, and gray trousers. He owns several yachts, including "Drizzle" and "Valoria B," as well as private jets.

Amancio Ortega: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Amancio Ortega:

Ortega is a self-made billionaire who started his fashion empire from scratch.
He is known for his hands-on approach to business and his attention to detail.
Ortega is a big fan of soccer and owns the Spanish football club Deportivo de La Coruña.
He is a supporter of various charitable causes, including education and healthcare.
Ortega is known for his love of horses and owns a stud farm in Spain.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 28, 1936

Amancio Ortega Gaona is born in Busdongo de Arbas, León, Spain.

1963

Ortega founds Confecciones Goa to sell quilted bathrobes.

1975

Ortega and his wife Rosalía Mera open the first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain.

1986

Ortega and Rosalía Mera divorce.

2001

Ortega marries his second wife, Flora Pérez Marcote.

2009

Zara becomes part of the Inditex group (Industrias de Diseño Textil Sociedad Anónima).

2011

Ortega announces his retirement from Inditex, succeeded by Pablo Isla.

2015

Ortega briefly holds the title of the richest man in the world, surpassing Bill Gates.

2020

Ortega's property holdings through Pontegadea investment company are valued at $17.2 billion.

November 2023

Ortega's net worth is estimated to be $73 billion, making him the 3rd wealthiest person in Europe and 14th in the world.

Amancio Ortega : FAQs

What is Amancio Ortega's current net worth?

Amancio Ortega's current net worth is $132.76 billion.

What is Amancio Ortega's current global rank among billionaires?

Amancio Ortega holds the 13th position globally among billionaires.

What is Amancio Ortega's current ranking within the Spain?

Amancio Ortega holds the 1st position in Spain.

What was the change in Amancio Ortega's net worth compared to the previous year?

Amancio Ortega's net worth decreased by 13.43 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 146.19 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Amancio Ortega's net worth?

Amancio Ortega's net worth increased by 4.53 billion dollars recently, a 3.41% increase, with his net worth standing at 132.76 billion dollars.

What are Amancio Ortega's main sources of wealth?

Amancio Ortega's main source of income comes from Zara.

In which industry does Amancio Ortega primarily operate?

Amancio Ortega is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

How old is Amancio Ortega?

Amancio Ortega is 90 years old.

How many children does Amancio Ortega have?

Amancio Ortega has 3 children.

Who is Amancio Ortega Gaona and what is his role in the fashion industry?

Amancio Ortega Gaona is a Spanish billionaire businessman, known for founding and serving as the former chairman of Inditex fashion group, which is famous for its Zara and Bershka clothing and accessories stores.

What are some of the key milestones in Amancio Ortega's career?

Amancio Ortega founded Confecciones Goa in 1963, opened the first Zara store in 1975, and saw Zara join the Inditex group in 2009. He retired from Inditex in 2011 after a successful career in expanding his brand portfolio and engaging in philanthropy.

How does Amancio Ortega maintain his personal life, and what are his known hobbies?

Amancio Ortega values his privacy and is known for his simple dressing style. He has been married twice and has three children. Aside from business, he enjoys sailing on his yachts and has personal jets for traveling.