Joseph Safra – Biography and Wealth Overview

Joseph Safra was born on August 1, 1938, in Beirut, Lebanon, into a Jewish banking family. His father, Jacob Safra, founded the banking empire that Joseph Safra later expanded and developed. Joseph Safra attended a French Catholic school in Beirut before moving to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1952, where he began working for his father’s bank, Banco Safra Geneve.

In 1962, Joseph Safra moved to Brazil, where he started Banco Safra, a private bank that focused on serving wealthy clients. Over the years, the bank grew and expanded its operations to other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia. Today, Banco Safra is one of the largest banks in Brazil, with over 100 branches and offices across the country.

Joseph Safra’s wealth is estimated to be around $25.2 billion as of 2021, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world. Much of his fortune comes from his ownership stake in Banco Safra, as well as his investments in real estate and other businesses. He is also known for his philanthropic work, having donated millions of dollars to various causes, including medical research, education, and Jewish organizations.

In addition to his banking and investment activities, Joseph Safra is also known for his love of art and culture. He has an extensive collection of artwork, including pieces by some of the most famous artists of the 20th century, such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, and Salvador Dali. He also owns several historic properties, including the Palazzo Leoni Montanari in Vicenza, Italy, which houses an art museum.

Despite his immense wealth, Joseph Safra is known for his low-key lifestyle and private nature. He has never given an interview to the media and rarely makes public appearances. He is married and has four children, all of whom are involved in the family business.

Here is a timeline of the life and career of Joseph Safra:

• 1938: Joseph Safra is born on August 1st in Beirut, Lebanon.
• 1952: Safra moves to Geneva, Switzerland, and begins working for his father’s bank, Banco Safra Geneve.
• 1962: Safra moves to Brazil and founds Banco Safra, a private bank serving wealthy clients.
• 1979: Banco Safra becomes a fully licensed bank in Brazil.
• 1990s: Safra expands Banco Safra’s operations to other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia.
• 2006: Safra buys the iconic Gherkin building in London for £600 million.
• 2013: Safra becomes the richest man in Brazil, according to Forbes.
• 2021: Safra’s net worth is estimated to be $25.2 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world.
• 2022: Joseph Safra passes away on March 10th at the age of 83.

5 Interesting Facts about Joseph Safra:

1. Joseph Safra’s family has a long history in banking, dating back to the Ottoman Empire.
2. He is known for his extensive art collection, which includes works by Picasso, Miro, and Dali.
3. Safra was once kidnapped and held for ransom, but was released unharmed after a few days.
4. He is a major philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to medical research, education, and Jewish organizations.
5. Safra was known for his private nature and rarely gave interviews to the media.

5 Quotes from Joseph Safra:

1. “Success is never final, and failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.”
2. “You need to be humble. You need to work hard. You need to be dedicated. You need to have a dream.”
3. “I always say that to be successful, you need to have two things: brains and luck. And, of course, hard work.”
4. “You cannot make a good deal with a bad person, and you cannot make a bad deal with a good person.”
5. “My philosophy is to take risks, but not foolish risks.”