Reinhold Würth, born on April 20, 1935, is a German businessman who took the helm of his father's small wholesale screw business in 1954 at the age of 19. Over the years, he transformed it into the Würth Group, which posted €19.9 billion in sales in 2022.
Aside from his business ventures, Würth is a passionate art collector. Since the 1960s, he has amassed a significant collection, now containing over 18,300 works, with a focus on art from the late 19th century to the present.
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| Born | 20 April 1935 Öhringen, Württemberg, Germany |
| Occupations | Businessman |
| Title | Chairman: Adolf Würth Group |
| Father | Adolf Würth |
| Children | 3 |
As of November 2024, Forbes estimated his net worth at $33.6 billion, making him the 45th-richest person in the world. He is married with three children and resides in Künzelsau, Germany.
Early Life
Reinhold Würth was born on April 20, 1935, in Öhringen, Germany. He grew up in a modest household, where his father, Adolf Würth, ran a small wholesale screw business. After his father's death in 1954, at the age of 19, Reinhold took over the family business, which was initially a small operation with a limited customer base.
Education
Reinhold Würth did not pursue formal higher education but had a strong interest in business and mechanics from an early age. He learned the trade of wholesale distribution and had practical experience managing his father's business. He furthered his knowledge through work experience and a hands-on approach, focusing on expanding the scope of his business in the years to come. This practical approach and self-education in entrepreneurship played a key role in his future success.
Wealth
Reinhold Würth’s wealth comes from his success in building the Würth Group, which he took over in 1954. Today, the Würth Group is one of the world’s largest wholesalers of products for the construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries, posting €19.9 billion (US$21.68 billion) in sales in 2022. The company operates in more than 80 countries and is a dominant player in its field. As of November 2024, Würth's estimated net worth is $33.6 billion, making him the 45th-richest person in the world according to Forbes.
Personal Life
Reinhold Würth is married and has three children. He resides in Künzelsau, Germany, where the Würth Group is headquartered. Despite his immense wealth, Würth is known for his modest lifestyle. His passion for art and culture has been a significant aspect of his personal life, with his collection of over 18,300 works of art. His family plays an important role in the management and continued success of the Würth Group.
Würth’s commitment to philanthropy is well-known, with his Würth Foundation supporting a range of cultural, educational, and social causes. He is actively involved in the growth of his business empire as well as in art preservation and promotion.
References
- Goodreturn (no date) Reinhold Wuerth & Family: Reinhold Wuerth & Family Net Worth, biography, age, spouse, children & more, Goodreturn. Available at: https://www.goodreturns.in/reinhold-wuerth-family-net-worth-and-biography-blnr123.html (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
- Reinhold Wuerth & Family (no date) Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/reinhold-wuerth/?list=billionaires%3Fcmpid (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
- User, S. (no date) Let’s build the United States of Europe for our children and grandchildren!, Einfach gut. Available at: https://gb2017.wuerth.com/en/bulletin-en/essay-prof-dr-h-c-mult-reinhold-wuerth-en (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
