Beny Steinmetz

$1.00 B

Ranked #2057 in World

About Beny Steinmetz

Israeli entrepreneur Beny Steinmetz, born on April 2, 1956, in Netanya, Israel, has made a significant mark in the mining, energy, real estate, and diamond industries on a global scale. Despite his achievements, including founding the Agnes & Beny Steinmetz Foundation for philanthropic efforts in Israel, Steinmetz has faced numerous legal challenges. He was convicted for bribery and fraud in several countries and lost an appeal over corruption charges in 2023. Steinmetz, who once partnered with billionaire George Soros, embarked on his business ventures after moving from Belgium's diamond hub, Antwerp, and has since expanded his operations across more than 25 countries. Despite controversies, his commitment to philanthropy in Israel remains noteworthy, with major donations to the Tel Aviv Museum and other institutions.

Born

April 02, 1956 in Netanya, Israel

Age

70 years

Source Of Wealth

Mining, Diamonds, Real Estate

Industries

Metals & Mining

Citizenship

Israel

Residence

Netanya

Spouse

Agnes

Children

Beny Steinmetz, an Israeli businessman and entrepreneur, was born on April 2, 1956, in Netanya, Israel. He is the fourth child of Rubin Steinmetz, a pioneer in the diamond trade. At the age of 21, Steinmetz emigrated from Israel to Belgium, settling in Antwerp, a renowned diamond hub.

Beny Steinmetz: Family

Beny Steinmetz currently resides in Israel with his wife Agnes and their four children. He holds French citizenship and describes himself as an "international Israeli."

Beny Steinmetz: Career Highlights

Steinmetz left Antwerp and the diamond industry in 1997, moving to Israel. He acquired his first and largest diamond factory in South Africa in 1988 and expanded his activities to other African countries like Angola and Botswana. Steinmetz diversified into ventures such as mining, real estate, and capital markets, operating in more than 25 countries through the Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR).

BSGR is a natural resource company involved in oil & gas, mining, metal, and power. Steinmetz was a former business partner of billionaire George Soros, but their partnership ended in the 1990s due to a failed Russian business deal.

Beny Steinmetz: Companies

Steinmetz has been involved with numerous companies throughout his career. He founded STI Ventures NV in 1997, a venture capital firm investing in Israeli start-ups. In 1999, he owned Tucows and attempted a $580 million share sale in London for Cunico Resources in 2007, although the plan was abandoned.

Nikanor plc, a company he co-founded, was acquired by Katanga Mining in 2008. Steinmetz owns real estate in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Eastern Europe through his company Scorpio. In 2014, he sold shares in the Steinmetz Diamond Group (SDG) to his brother Daniel.

BSG Capital, a subsidiary of BSGR, held a 16% share in Gabriel Resources Ltd. as of March 2015. Steinmetz divested most of its holdings in Cunico Resources in favor of International Mineral Resources in 2016.

As of 2017, he still owns Cunico Resources and Canada-based Gabriel Resources.

Beny Steinmetz: Major Achievements

Steinmetz has achieved significant success in the business world. He has built a multi-billion dollar empire through his various ventures, including mining, energy, real estate, and diamond mining. Steinmetz is known for his aggressive business tactics and his ability to secure lucrative deals in challenging environments.

Beny Steinmetz: Awards & Achievements

Beny Steinmetz has received honorary doctorate degrees from Netanya Academic College and the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art. He is also a major donor to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, sponsoring the construction of the Agnes and Beny Steinmetz Wing for Architecture and Design.

Beny Steinmetz: Personal Life & Legacy

Steinmetz is married to Agnes, and they have four children together. He is known for his philanthropic efforts through the Agnes & Beny Steinmetz Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and culture in Israel. Steinmetz is also a major donor to various organizations, including the Tel Aviv Museum, Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers, Israel Cancer Association, and hospitals.

Beny Steinmetz: Trivia

Beny Steinmetz was accused of hiring mercenaries to topple the government of Guinea in 2013, but the allegations were proven false. He has been involved in a long-running dispute with the government of Guinea over the development of Simandou iron-ore deposits. Steinmetz was also indicted in absentia in Romania in 2016 for the unlawful recovery of Paul-Philippe Hohenzollern's inheritance.

Steinmetz was named in the Panama Papers leak, revealing corruption and improper business dealings in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Guinea. He was arrested in 2017 as part of an investigation into fraud, breach of trust, bribery, and other allegations. BSGR went into voluntary receivership in 2018 facing bribery allegations and sought bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in 2019 after losing a $2 billion arbitration against Vale.

Steinmetz sued Soros for allegedly costing the company its rights to Simandou and causing at least $10 billion in losses.

He was found guilty of bribery, fraud, and forgery of corporate documents in a Swiss court in 2021 and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a fine of 50 million Swiss francs. Steinmetz lost his appeal over corruption charges in 2023.

Wealth History

Timeline

April 2, 1956

Beny Steinmetz is born in Netanya, Israel.

1977

Emigrates from Israel to Belgium at age 21, settling in Antwerp, a famous diamond hub.

1988

Acquires his first and largest diamond factory in South Africa.

1997

Leaves Antwerp and the diamond industry, moving to Israel.

1997

Founds STI Ventures NV, a venture capital firm investing in Israeli start-ups.

1999

Owns Tucows.

2007

Koidu Holdings, previously a joint venture, becomes wholly owned by BSGR.

2007

Attempts a $580 million share sale in London for Cunico Resources, but the plan is abandoned.

2008

Nikanor plc, a company he co-founded, is acquired by Katanga Mining.

2013

Accused of hiring mercenaries to topple the government of Guinea, but the allegations are proven false.

2014

Sells shares in the Steinmetz Diamond Group (SDG) to his brother Daniel.

2014

BSGR Guinea's rights to the Simandou iron-ore deposits are revoked by the Guinean government due to allegations of bribery.

2015

BSG Capital, a subsidiary of BSGR, holds a 16% share in Gabriel Resources Ltd.

2015

Rio Tinto's lawsuit against Steinmetz, BSGR, and Vale alleging a scheme to steal mining rights is dismissed due to statute of limitations and failure to prove racketeering activity.

2016

Steinmetz is arrested on suspicion of money laundering and bribery charges related to Simandou.

2016

Indicted in absentia in Romania for the unlawful recovery of Paul-Philippe Hohenzollern's inheritance.

2016

Divests most of its holdings in Cunico Resources in favor of International Mineral Resources.

2017

Arrested as part of an investigation into fraud, breach of trust, bribery, and other allegations.

2017

Cunico Resources requests arbitration with North Macedonia over its FENI Industries property.

2017

Sues George Soros for allegedly costing the company its rights to Simandou and causing at least $10 billion in losses.

2018

BSGR goes into voluntary receivership facing bribery allegations.

2018

Request for an arrest warrant dismissed by a Romanian court.

2019

BSGR seeks bankruptcy protection in the U.S. after losing a $2 billion arbitration against Vale.

2019

Estimated net worth of $1.1 billion as of November.

2021

Found guilty of bribery, fraud, and forgery of corporate documents in a Swiss court.

2021

Sentenced to 5 years in prison and a fine of 50 million Swiss francs.

2022

Extradition request by Romanian authorities rejected by an Athens court due to concerns about fair trial and risk of mistreatment.

2023

Loses appeal over corruption charges.

Beny Steinmetz : FAQs

What is Beny Steinmetz's net worth?

As of 2019, Beny Steinmetz's net worth was $1.00 billion.

What are Beny Steinmetz's main sources of wealth?

Beny Steinmetz's main source of income comes from Mining, Diamonds, Real Estate.

In which industry does Beny Steinmetz primarily operate?

Beny Steinmetz is primarily involved in the Metals & Mining industry.

How old is Beny Steinmetz?

Beny Steinmetz is 70 years old.

How many children does Beny Steinmetz have?

Beny Steinmetz has 4 children.

Who is Beny Steinmetz and what industries does he focus on?

Beny Steinmetz is an Israeli businessman and entrepreneur born on April 2, 1956, in Netanya, Israel, focusing on mining, energy, real estate, and diamond-mining industries.

What is the background of Beny Steinmetz's early life and family?

Born as the fourth child of Rubin Steinmetz, a diamond trade pioneer, Beny emigrated from Israel to Belgium at age 21, settling in Antwerp. He now resides in Israel with his wife Agnes and their four children and holds French citizenship.

Can you detail Beny Steinmetz's business career and its impact?

Beny Steinmetz left the diamond industry in 1997, expanding his business interests into mining, real estate, and capital markets, operating in over 25 countries through Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR). His ventures include owning the largest diamond factory in South Africa and diversifying into oil, gas, and metal industries.

What are some controversies and criminal trials associated with Beny Steinmetz?

Beny Steinmetz has faced multiple legal challenges, including convictions for corrupt and illegal business practices. He was found guilty of bribery, fraud, and forgery in Switzerland in 2021, and his bribery conviction was upheld on appeal in 2023.

How has Beny Steinmetz contributed to philanthropy and the arts?

Beny Steinmetz, alongside his wife Agnes, established the Agnes & Beny Steinmetz Foundation to support education, healthcare, and culture in Israel. They are major donors to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and have sponsored the construction of the Agnes and Beny Steinmetz Wing for Architecture and Design.