Bertil Hult

$2.63 B

Ranked #1552 in World

About Bertil Hult

Swedish entrepreneur Bertil Hult, born in 1941, revolutionized language learning with the foundation of EF Education First in 1965. Overcoming his own dyslexia, Hult propelled EF from a local start-up to an educational powerhouse, with over 40,000 employees in 53 nations. Progressing from CEO to chairman, he nurtured EF and the affiliated Hult International Business School, leading to a personal net worth of $5 billion by 2015. Recognized for charitable work and societal impact, Hult promotes dyslexia education globally.

Born

February 10, 1941 in Stockholm, Sweden

Age

85 years

Source Of Wealth

Education

Industries

Service

Citizenship

Sweden

Residence

Lucerne

Spouse

Lisbeth Hult (Married: 1974)

Children

Bertil Eric Hult was born on February 10, 1941, in Stockholm, Sweden. He faced struggles with dyslexia as a child, which impacted his educational journey. After dropping out of school after junior high, he moved to London, where he learned English by immersing himself in the language and culture.

Bertil Hult: Family

Bertil Hult is married to Lisbeth Hult since 1974, and they have four sons together. Two of his sons, Philip and Eddie, hold leadership positions in EF Education First. The Hult family currently resides in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Bertil Hult: Career Highlights

Bertil Hult founded EF Education First in 1965 at the age of 23 in Lund, Sweden. Starting as a language study and travel abroad organization, EF focused on providing Swedish high school students with opportunities to learn English in England. Hult believed in cultural immersion as the most effective way to acquire language skills.

He served as EF's CEO until 2002 and chairman until 2008. Under his leadership, EF grew into a global corporation with over 40,000 employees across 500 schools and educational programs in 53 countries. EF continues to expand its language schools, online language learning platforms, au pair placement services, student travel coordination, and international exchange experiences.

Bertil Hult: Companies

Bertil Hult is the founder and former CEO of EF Education First, a leading global education company. EF is affiliated with Hult International Business School, named after Bertil Hult. EF Education First is wholly owned by Hult and his family.

Bertil Hult: Major Achievements

Bertil Hult's major achievements include building EF Education First into a multi-billion dollar corporation with a global presence. He is credited with revolutionizing the language learning industry by emphasizing cultural immersion and experiential learning. Hult's contributions to education and international exchange have had a profound impact on millions of students worldwide.

Bertil Hult: Awards & Achievements

Bertil Hult has received numerous awards and recognitions for his entrepreneurial success and contributions to society.

Some of his notable accolades include:

Elected International Swede of the Year in 2006
Received the Lucia Trade Award in 2012 for promoting free trade between Sweden and the United States
Named a Laureate by the World Entrepreneurship Forum in 2014 for his societal impact and ability to change the world

Bertil Hult: Personal Life & Legacy

Bertil Hult is known for his passion for sailing and his boat, EF Education, won the prestigious Whitbread Round the World Race in 1998. He is actively involved in charitable work, particularly in the areas of drug abuse prevention and dyslexia education. Hult is the founding member of the Geneva-based Mentor Foundation, which focuses on drug prevention research and initiatives. He also supports the Bertil Hult Prize, awarded annually to a Swedish school for their efforts in dyslexia education, and sponsors the Hult Prize, a US$1 million award for a global business school case competition supported by the United Nations.

Bertil Hult: Trivia

Bertil Hult's success story is particularly remarkable considering his struggles with dyslexia as a child. He overcame his learning challenges and went on to build a global education empire, demonstrating the power of determination and resilience.

Wealth History

Timeline

February 10, 1941

Bertil Eric Hult is born in Stockholm, Sweden.

1965

Bertil Hult founds EF Education First in Lund, Sweden.

1971

Bertil Hult moves to Germany.

1977

Bertil Hult establishes EF's head office in Lucerne, Switzerland.

1998

Bertil Hult's boat EF Education wins the Whitbread Round the World Race.

2002

Bertil Hult steps down as CEO of EF Education First.

2006

Bertil Hult is elected International Swede of the Year.

2008

Bertil Hult steps down as chairman of EF Education First.

2012

Bertil Hult receives the Lucia Trade Award for promoting free trade between Sweden and the United States.

2014

Bertil Hult is named a Laureate by the World Entrepreneurship Forum.

2015

Forbes estimates Bertil Hult's net worth to be US$5 billion.

Bertil Hult : FAQs

What is Bertil Hult's current net worth?

Bertil Hult's current net worth is $2.63 billion.

What is Bertil Hult's current global rank among billionaires?

Bertil Hult holds the 1552nd position globally among billionaires.

What is Bertil Hult's current ranking within the Sweden?

Bertil Hult holds the 22nd position in Sweden.

What was the change in Bertil Hult's net worth compared to the previous year?

Bertil Hult's net worth decreased by 0 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.63 billion dollars.

What are Bertil Hult's main sources of wealth?

Bertil Hult's main source of income comes from Education.

In which industry does Bertil Hult primarily operate?

Bertil Hult is primarily involved in the Service industry.

How old is Bertil Hult?

Bertil Hult is 85 years old.

How many children does Bertil Hult have?

Bertil Hult has 4 children.

Who is Bertil Eric Hult and what is he known for?

Bertil Eric Hult, born on February 10, 1941, in Stockholm, Sweden, is best known for founding EF Education First in 1965 and being the patron of Hult International Business School. He grew EF into a multi-billion dollar company that operates in 53 countries.

What were the key achievements of Bertil Hult's business career?

Bertil Hult founded EF Education First at age 23 and led it as CEO until 2002 and chairman until 2008. Under his tenure, EF expanded globally with over 40,000 employees and 500 schools. EF is also affiliated with Hult International Business School and remains family-owned.

What are some of Bertil Hult’s notable contributions to society?

Bertil Hult has been involved in charity, promoting dyslexia education and fighting drug abuse. He is a founding member of the Mentor Foundation and supports both the Bertil Hult Prize for dyslexia education in Swedish schools and the Hult Prize for business school students, as well as the Global Classroom Foundation.

Can you tell us about Bertil Hult's family and personal life?

Bertil Hult has been married to Lisbeth Hult since 1974 and is a father to four sons. He resides in Lucerne, Switzerland, where two of his sons, Philip and Eddie, hold leadership positions within EF Education First.