Karl-Johan Persson

$2.11 B

Ranked #1934 in World

About Karl-Johan Persson

Swedish billionaire Karl-Johan Persson, known for his influential tenure as the CEO of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) from 2009 to 2020, and currently serving as its Chairman, is a notable figure in the global fashion industry. Born on March 25, 1975, and holding a Business and Economics degree from the European Business School in London, Persson's journey from acquiring and selling the events management firm European Network to steering H&M towards remarkable expansion highlights his adept entrepreneurship. Succeeding his tenure as CEO, he was elected Chair of H&M's board in May 2020. Off the professional front, Persson, with a net worth of US$1.9 billion as of December 2023, enjoys a personal life in Stockholm with his wife Leonie Gillberg and their three children. Alongside his contributions to H&M, founded by his grandfather Erling Persson, he invests in start-ups via Philian AB and 41an Invest AB, showcasing a keen eye for innovation.

Born

March 25, 1975

Age

51 years

Source Of Wealth

H&M

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Sweden

Residence

Stockholm

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, London Business School

Spouse

Leonie Gillberg

Children

Parent

Stefan Persson, Pamela Collett

Karl-Johan Persson was born on March 25, 1975, in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the grandson of Erling Persson, the founder of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). Persson attended the European Business School in London from 1996 to 2002, where he majored in Business and Economics.

Karl-Johan Persson: Family

Karl-Johan Persson is married to Leonie Gillberg, and they have three children together. The couple lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended their wedding in 2002.

Karl-Johan Persson: Career Highlights

Persson began his career in 2001 when he acquired the events management business, European Network. He served as the CEO of European Network from 2001 to 2004 and successfully sold the company to MCI in 2007. In 2005, Persson joined H&M in an operational role and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the head of expansion and head of business development in 2007. In 2009, he was appointed CEO of H&M, succeeding Rolf Eriksen. Persson held the CEO position until 2020 when he handed over the role to Helena Helmersson. In May 2020, he was elected Chair of the H&M board at the AGM. Additionally, Persson invests in start-ups through the companies Philian AB and 41an Invest AB.

Karl-Johan Persson: Companies

Karl-Johan Persson is associated with the following companies:

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M)
European Network
MCI
Philian AB
41an Invest AB

Karl-Johan Persson: Major Achievements

Under Karl-Johan Persson's leadership as CEO of H&M, the company experienced significant growth and expansion. He oversaw the opening of numerous new stores worldwide and played a crucial role in strengthening H&M's position as a leading global fashion retailer.

Karl-Johan Persson: Awards & Achievements

Karl-Johan Persson has received recognition for his contributions to the business world. Some of his notable awards include:

Swedish Businessman of the Year (2010)
European Business Leader of the Year (2011)
Honorary Doctorate from the Stockholm School of Economics (2012)

Karl-Johan Persson: Personal Life & Legacy

Karl-Johan Persson is known for his dedication to philanthropy and social responsibility.

He has made significant contributions to various charitable organizations and initiatives. Persson's legacy lies in his successful leadership of H&M, his commitment to sustainable fashion, and his positive impact on the retail industry.

Karl-Johan Persson: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Karl-Johan Persson:

He is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying planes as a hobby.
Persson is an avid skier and often spends his free time on the slopes.
He is fluent in Swedish, English, and French.
Persson is a fan of classical music and enjoys attending concerts and operas.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 25, 1975

Karl-Johan Persson is born.

1996-2002

Karl-Johan Persson attends the European Business School in London, majoring in Business and Economics.

2001

Karl-Johan Persson acquires events management business, European Network.

2001-2004

Karl-Johan Persson serves as CEO of European Network.

2005

Karl-Johan Persson joins H&M in an operational role.

2007

Karl-Johan Persson is promoted to head of expansion and head of business development at H&M.

2007

Karl-Johan Persson successfully sells European Network to MCI.

2009

Karl-Johan Persson is appointed CEO of H&M, succeeding Rolf Eriksen.

2020

Karl-Johan Persson hands over the CEO role to Helena Helmersson.

May 2020

Karl-Johan Persson is elected Chair of the H&M board at the AGM.

Karl-Johan Persson : FAQs

What is Karl-Johan Persson's current net worth?

Karl-Johan Persson's current net worth is $2.11 billion.

What is Karl-Johan Persson's current global rank among billionaires?

Karl-Johan Persson holds the 1934th position globally among billionaires.

What is Karl-Johan Persson's current ranking within the Sweden?

Karl-Johan Persson holds the 25th position in Sweden.

What was the change in Karl-Johan Persson's net worth compared to the previous year?

Karl-Johan Persson's net worth decreased by 211.08 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.32 billion dollars.

What are Karl-Johan Persson's main sources of wealth?

Karl-Johan Persson's main source of income comes from H&M.

In which industry does Karl-Johan Persson primarily operate?

Karl-Johan Persson is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

What is Karl-Johan Persson educational background?

Karl-Johan Persson holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from London Business School.

How old is Karl-Johan Persson?

Karl-Johan Persson is 51 years old.

How many children does Karl-Johan Persson have?

Karl-Johan Persson has 2 children.

How did Karl-Johan Persson's career at H&M start and evolve?

Karl-Johan Persson joined H&M in 2005 in an operational role, worked his way up to head of expansion and business development in 2007, became CEO in 2009, and was elected Chair of the H&M board in May 2020.

Can you detail Karl-Johan Persson's involvement in the business world outside of H&M?

Beyond H&M, Karl-Johan Persson acquired the events management business European Network in 2001, served as its CEO until 2004, sold it in 2007, and invests in start-ups through Philian AB and 41an Invest AB.

What are some personal details about Karl-Johan Persson's life?

Karl-Johan Persson is married to Leonie Gillberg, has three children, lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and his wedding in 2002 was attended by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.