Riches

From crypto to the real economy, the names and assets of Italian billionaires (Forbes)

Giancarlo Devasini, co-founder of cryptocurrency company Tether, takes the podium with an estimated wealth of $89.3 billion

by R.Fi.

13 March 2026

Giancarlo Devasini Cfo Bitfinex e fondatore Tether e Carlos Gustavo Maslatón avvocato, trader e analista finanziario

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The protagonists of traditional industry
The weight of Luxottica heirs
Luxury and manufacturing complete the ranking

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The real economy gives way to digital finance. The ranking of the richest people in Italia has a new leader: it is Giancarlo Devasini, who occupies 21st position in the world rankings with an estimated wealth of $89.3 billion. The co-founder of the cryptocurrency company Tether owes his fortune to investments in the cryptocurrency sector, which has seen strong growth in recent years and has contributed to the formation of great new global wealth.

This drops Giovanni Ferrero to second place, in 37th position worldwide, with assets of 47.6 billion dollars. Executive Chairman of the Ferrero Group, he leads one of the world's largest confectionary empires, known for iconic brands such as Nutella, Kinder and Ferrero Rocher.

In third place among the Italians is Andrea Pignataro, 47th in the world rankings, with an estimated wealth of$41.6 billion. Founder of the fintech group ION, Pignataro has built a global giant in software and technology services for financial markets.

Completing the group of large fortunes above 30 billion Paolo Ardoino, 52nd in the world, with $38 billion. Again, this wealth is linked to the world of cryptocurrencies, confirming the growing weight of digital finance in the ranking of Italian billionaires.

The protagonists of traditional industry

Moving down the global ranking, historical names of Italian entrepreneurship emerge, including the entrepreneur Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, who occupies the 336th position worldwide with assets of USD 9.8 billion.

In the pharmaceutical sector stands out Massimiliana Landini Aleotti and family, in 433rd position globally with $8.1 billion, thanks to their ownership of the Menarini group, one of Italy's leading pharmaceutical companies. In the industrial manufacturing sector are Paolo Rocca and Gianfelice Rocca, both with $7 billion in assets and respectively 533rd and 534th in the world rankings. The two entrepreneurs belong to the family that heads the Techint group, active in the pipe production and steel industry.

Also with $7 billion is Piero Ferrari, 535th in the world, vice-president of Ferrari and son of founder Enzo Ferrari.

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The weight of Luxottica heirs

A significant share of Italy's wealth in the Forbes ranking comes from the industrial legacy of Luxottica, which is now part of the EssilorLuxottica group. Among the heirs of founder Leonardo Del Vecchio are several billionaires with assets of around $6 billion each. These include Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, 659th in the world rankings with $6.1 billion, and other family members including Claudio Del Vecchio, Marisa Del Vecchio, Nicoletta Zampillo, Luca Del Vecchio, Paola Del Vecchio, Rocco Basilico and Clemente Del Vecchio, all with assets estimated at around $6 billion and ranked around 680th in the world.

Luxury and craftsmanship complete the ranking

The ranking also includes entrepreneurs linked to Italy's industrial tradition and luxury. Giuseppe De'Longhi and family, ranked 712th in the world, have an estimated wealth of USD 5.7 billion, built up in the household appliance and coffee machine sector. In the fashion and luxury sector are Patrizio Bertelli, ranked 968th in the world, and Miuccia Prada, ranked 969th, both with estimated assets of $4.3 billion, linked to the Prada Group.