At a time when the majority of the population in Portugal manages their budget rigorously, there is a small circle of surnames that concentrate a financial value that is difficult for the average citizen to imagine. The most recent data on the business elite reveals a giant gap, showing that only fifty households hold assets worth tens of billions. The country’s richest families reinforced their joint fortune, reaching an amount that demonstrates absolute economic power over the main sectors of activity.
This restricted group not only maintained its influence but also saw its assets increase in value in a year of economic contrasts. The top of the financial pyramid is occupied by dynasties that control everything from food distribution to health, including industry and tourism, accumulating capital that far exceeds the wealth generated by entire regions of the national territory.
The numbers that define the elite
According to Forbes Portugal, which annually analyzes large assets, these fifty families own a total of more than 47 billion euros. This astronomical value is equivalent to around 16.5 percent of the entire national Gross Domestic Product recorded in 2024, which clearly illustrates the existing concentration of wealth.
The leadership of this list continues to be handed over to the Amorim clan, made up of the widow and daughters of businessman Américo Amorim. The same source indicates that these four women alone hold a share of 5.84 billion euros, being the only Portuguese family to be present in the international ranking of the world’s largest fortunes.
Changes to the millionaires’ podium
Just below the top, there was a relevant exchange of positions. The Soares dos Santos family, owner of the Jerónimo Martins group, regained second place in the table. The appreciation of the retail giant’s shares boosted the assets of Alexandre Soares dos Santos’ descendants to 3.2 billion euros.
The aforementioned source explains that in third place was the Guimarães de Mello family, historic holders of the CUF group and Bondalti. With a fortune valued at 3.1 billion euros, this group continues to be one of the pillars of the private health sector and the chemical industry in Portugal, maintaining a secular influence on the economy.
New entrances and dizzying climbs
This year’s ranking brings news to the restricted group of the five most powerful, with the direct entry of Dionísio Pestana. The businessman in the hotel sector saw his assets grow significantly, reaching almost two billion euros and proving the vitality of tourism as a driver of enrichment.
Another notable rise was that of Maria do Carmo Neves, from the pharmaceutical group Tecnimede, who climbed fifteen positions on the list. The good performance of the health sector was also reflected in the appreciation of the Porto family that owns Bial, demonstrating that the medicine industry is generating more value than in previous years.
Grief and succession in business
This year’s list is also marked by the loss of unavoidable figures, as was the case of António Mota, leader of Mota-Engil. Despite the death of its helmsman in November, the family saw its fortune grow to 720 million euros, supported by the construction company’s appreciation in the financial markets.
It also explains that the calculations presented are based on the value of business holdings and the stock price as of December. The assessment purposely excludes personal bank accounts and unregistered private assets, which means that the real wealth of these families could be even higher than the official values now released.
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