A new generation of billionaires is making headlines. Among them is a 19-year-old Brazilian woman who has become the youngest billionaire in the world, according to Forbes’ latest ranking.
Livia Voigt, the heiress to WEG, one of Latin America’s leading electrical motors manufacturers, has inherited her wealth from her family’s well-established legacy in the industry. Despite her remarkable fortune, Livia remains focused on her studies as a university student, demonstrating that even teenage billionaires can balance education with their impressive financial legacies.
The Del Vecchio family, known for their global eyewear empire EssilorLuxottica, is another example of how wealth and influence can span generations. Leonardo Del Vecchio, the visionary founder of the company, passed away in 2022, leaving a substantial fortune that has significantly impacted his heirs, including his children Clemente, Leonardo Maria, and Luca Del Vecchio, who are now among the youngest billionaires globally.
While most of the world’s youngest billionaires are heirs to their fortunes, rather than self-made individuals, they are not just sitting on their inherited wealth. Instead, they are strategically building their own business empires or expanding the ones passed on to them.
Sisters Kim Jung-min and Kim Jung-youn, who inherited a stake in the Nexon gaming empire from their father, now own approximately 9 percent of the company. Similarly, Alexandra Andresen and her sister Katharina, both in their twenties, have taken an active role in making strategic investments in various sectors, including personal finance and technology, using their inherited assets from their family’s investment company, Ferd.
Livia Voigt is making waves with her substantial fortune by investing in sustainable energy projects and supporting educational initiatives in Brazil, providing scholarships for underprivileged students. Her approach reflects a blend of preserving and expanding her family’s legacy while making a positive impact on society.
The stories of these young billionaires inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, illustrating the dynamic ways in which wealth and influence are evolving in the modern world. As the business landscape continues to transform, it will be fascinating to see how these young individuals navigate their roles and influence the global economy.
