Nicky Oppenheimer
Nicholas F. Oppenheimer | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1945 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Known for | Former chairman of De Beers, deputy chairman of Anglo American |
Nicholas F. Oppenheimer (born 8 June 1945) is a prominent South African billionaire entrepreneur, who formerly held the position of chairman at De Beers and its affiliate, the Diamond Trading Company. He also served as deputy chairman of Anglo American. As of 2025, he is ranked as the third wealthiest individual in Africa, with an estimated net worth of US$12.3 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Early life
Oppenheimer was born in Johannesburg on 8 June 1945. He is the son of Bridget (née McCall) and Harry Oppenheimer, and the grandson of Ernest Oppenheimer, founder of Anglo American and chairman of De Beers from 1929. His ancestry includes German-Jewish and Czech-Jewish roots. His education comprised attendance at Ludgrove School, Harrow School, and later Christ Church, Oxford, where he completed a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Business career
Beginning his career at Anglo American in 1968, Oppenheimer was appointed director in 1974 and elevated to deputy chairman in 1983. Although he stepped down from this role in 2001, he continued as a non-executive director until 2011.
In 1984, he became deputy chairman of the Central Selling Organisation (currently known as the Diamond Trading Company) and assumed the same role at De Beers Consolidated Mines the following year. That year also marked his appointment as chairman of the Diamond Trading Company. He led the De Beers Group as chairman from 1998 until his retirement in 2012 when the family divested its holdings to Anglo American.
According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2018, he was placed 23rd with an estimated wealth of £5.5 billion. Furthermore, he was recognized as South Africa's wealthiest individual on Forbes World's Billionaires list in both 2019 and 2020, with net worth figures reported at US$7.3 billion and US$7.6 billion respectively.
Philanthropy
The philanthropic efforts of the Oppenheimer family concentrate on safeguarding Southern Africa’s cultural legacy while promoting education, healthcare, conservation, and the arts. In 2005, Nicky Oppenheimer alongside his son Jonathan Oppenheimer established the Brenthurst Foundation, aiming to shape policies that foster economic progress and sustainable development across Africa.
Environmental conservation has been a long-term priority for the family. In collaboration with De Beers, they launched the Diamond Route in 2006 to utilize their landholdings for purposes including conservation, scientific research, and environmental education. This initiative links eight locations throughout northern South Africa, spanning from Namaqualand and Kimberley to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Brenthurst Gardens in Johannesburg, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, and Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve.
Since 2015, Oppenheimer has also held a position as a Rhodes Trustee.
Awards
Oppenheimer was honored with an honorary doctorate by the Technikon Witwatersrand in 2003. He received Botswana’s Presidential Order of Honour in 2004 from former President Festus Mogae, and was granted an honorary fellowship by the London Business School in 2009.
Personal life
In 1968, he wed Orcillia "Strilli" Lasch, daughter of industrial magnate Helli Lasch; both are adherents of Anglicanism. His father was originally Jewish by birth but later converted to Anglicanism.
Publications
External links
- 1945 births
- Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford
- South African mining businesspeople
- Living people
- Diamond dealers
- Oppenheimer family
- People educated at Harrow School
- South African Anglicans
- South African billionaires
- South African people of German-Jewish descent
- South African people of Czech-Jewish descent
- Rhodes Trustees
- Conservative Party (UK) donors
- People educated at Ludgrove School
- Businesspeople from Johannesburg