Stephan Schmidheiny

$2.59 B

Ranked #1608 in World

About Stephan Schmidheiny

Swiss billionaire Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny, with a net worth of $3.75 billion, has been a prominent figure in the industrial sector and philanthropy. Born on October 29, 1947, in Balgach, Switzerland, he embarked on a business trajectory with Eternit in 1972, eventually steering the company away from asbestos in 1986. Schmidheiny has faced legal challenges, including a conviction for aggravated manslaughter in 2023. A University of Zurich Law PhD graduate, he's been pivotal in sustainable development and various corporate boards. His philanthropic footprint spans across sustainable practices and support for Latin American SMEs.

Born

October 29, 1947 in Balgach, Switzerland

Age

78 years

Source Of Wealth

Investments

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

Switzerland

Residence

Hurden

Education

Doctorate, University of Zurich

Spouse

Ruth Schmidheiny ((Married: 1974; Divorced: 2002)), Viktoria Werner ((Married: 2012))

Children

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny was born on October 29, 1947, in Balgach, Switzerland. He holds Swiss nationality and has a net worth estimated at $3.75 billion (as of 2023, according to Handelszeitung).

Stephan Schmidheiny: Family

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny comes from a prominent industrialist family. His father, Ernst Schmidheiny, was a successful businessman who divided his industrial empire between Stephan and his brother.

Stephan Schmidheiny: Career Highlights

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny began his business career at Eternit in 1972. At the age of 29, he became the CEO of the Swiss Eternit Group in 1976. He inherited Eternit after his father divided the industrial empire between him and his brother.

One of his notable achievements was ending the company's use of asbestos in 1986, five years after announcing Eternit's intention to exit asbestos production and distribution.

However, Schmidheiny faced legal challenges due to his involvement in the Eternit asbestos scandal. He was involved in trials in Italy since 2009 and faced convictions for environmental disaster and negligent behavior.

In addition to his involvement with Eternit, Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny invested in various industrial segments, building a multinational conglomerate of shareholdings. He joined the boards of directors of leading companies such as ABB Asea Brown Boveri, Nestlé, Swatch, and UBS AG.

He played a significant role in the rescue of the Swiss watch industry, supporting Nicolas Hayek in the formation of Swatch Group. Schmidheiny also co-organized the merger of Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) with ASEA of Sweden, creating ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB Group).

Furthermore, he restructured Landis + Gyr after acquiring two-thirds of its capital.

Stephan Schmidheiny: Companies

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny has been involved with the following companies:

Eternit
ABB Asea Brown Boveri
Nestlé
Swatch
UBS AG
Landis + Gyr

Stephan Schmidheiny: Major Achievements

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny's major achievements include:

Ending the use of asbestos in Eternit
Building a multinational conglomerate of shareholdings
Supporting the rescue of the Swiss watch industry
Co-organizing the merger of Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) with ASEA of Sweden
Restructuring Landis + Gyr
Becoming a leader in the field of sustainable development
Serving as an adviser on sustainability to the United Nations and the OECD
Creating FUNDES to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Latin America
Owning over 120,000 hectares of forest land in Southern Chile
Establishing the Fundación AVINA to promote sustainable development in Latin America
Founding the Alexander Schmidheiny Foundation
Supporting arts and culture through various initiatives
Playing a foundational role in starting Fundacion MarViva

Stephan Schmidheiny: Awards & Achievements

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny has received numerous awards and recognition for his leadership and contribution to sustainable development, including:

Honorary doctorates from Instituto Centroamerica de Administración de Empresas (INCAE), Yale University, Rollins College, and Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB)
Recipient of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment in 2001
Honored with a Philanthropy Award at the PODER Green Forum in 2007

Stephan Schmidheiny: Personal Life & Legacy

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny was married to Ruth Schmidheiny from 1974 to 2002, with whom he has a son and a daughter.

He is currently married to Dr. Viktoria Schmidheiny-Werner since 2012 and resides in Hurden, Switzerland.

Schmidheiny has devoted his life to philanthropic pursuits since the 1990s, focusing on sustainable development and environmental conservation. He has made significant contributions through various initiatives and organizations, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of sustainability.

Stephan Schmidheiny: Trivia

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny is an avid art collector and owns the Daros Collection, which features contemporary art from around the world.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 29, 1947

Stephan Ernst Schmidheiny is born in Balgach, Switzerland.

1972

Completes Law studies with a PhD at the University of Zurich and starts his business career at Eternit.

1976

Becomes CEO of the Swiss Eternit Group at the age of 29.

1986

Ends the company's use of asbestos, five years after announcing Eternit's intention to exit asbestos production and distribution.

1990

Appointed chief adviser for business and industry to the secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).

1990s

Devotes his life to philanthropic pursuits and becomes an advocate and leader in the field of sustainable development.

2001

Receives the Zayed International Prize for the Environment.

2007

Honored with a Philanthropy Award at the PODER Green Forum.

2009

Involved in trials in Italy due to his involvement in the Eternit asbestos scandal.

2012

Sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for environmental disaster, later increased to 18 years in 2013.

2014

Acquitted of charges for alleged negligent behavior in Italy.

2019

Sentenced to four years in prison for the death of two workers in Italy.

2023

Convicted to 12 years in prison on aggravated manslaughter for deaths of 392 people in Casale Monferrato.

Stephan Schmidheiny : FAQs

What is Stephan Schmidheiny's current net worth?

Stephan Schmidheiny's current net worth is $2.59 billion.

What is Stephan Schmidheiny's current global rank among billionaires?

Stephan Schmidheiny holds the 1608th position globally among billionaires.

What is Stephan Schmidheiny's current ranking within the Switzerland?

Stephan Schmidheiny holds the 31st position in Switzerland.

What was the change in Stephan Schmidheiny's net worth compared to the previous year?

Stephan Schmidheiny's net worth increased by 468 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.12 billion dollars.

What are Stephan Schmidheiny's main sources of wealth?

Stephan Schmidheiny's main source of income comes from Investments.

In which industry does Stephan Schmidheiny primarily operate?

Stephan Schmidheiny is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is Stephan Schmidheiny educational background?

Stephan Schmidheiny holds a Doctorate from the University of Zurich.

How old is Stephan Schmidheiny?

Stephan Schmidheiny is 78 years old.

How many children does Stephan Schmidheiny have?

Stephan Schmidheiny has 2 children.

What education did Stephan Schmidheiny complete before starting his career?

Stephan Schmidheiny completed his Law studies and received a PhD from the University of Zurich in 1972.

What are the notable career milestones of Stephan Schmidheiny?

Stephan Schmidheiny started his business career at Eternit in 1972, became CEO of the Swiss Eternit Group in 1976, ended the company's use of asbestos by 1986, and has faced legal challenges due to the Eternit asbestos scandal, including convictions and prison sentences.

How has Stephan Schmidheiny contributed to philanthropy and sustainable development?

Stephan Schmidheiny has been a dedicated philanthropist since the 1990s, focusing on sustainable development. He has advised the UN and the OECD, founded several organizations like FUNDES, Fundación AVINA, and the Alexander Schmidheiny Foundation, and supported initiatives for arts, culture, and environmental conservation.

What awards has Stephan Schmidheiny received for his contributions to society?

Stephan Schmidheiny has received numerous awards and honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions for his leadership in sustainable development, including the Zayed International Prize for the Environment in 2001 and a Philanthropy Award at the PODER Green Forum in 2007.