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Livia Voigt, from Santa Catarina, Tops Forbes Ranking with a Fortune of US$ 1.2 Billion from Shares of the Santa Catarina Giant in Electrical Equipment
The psychology student Livia Voigt made history by becoming the youngest billionaire in the world, according to the annual ranking released by Forbes magazine. At 21 years old, the Brazilian from Santa Catarina has an estimated net worth of US$ 1.2 billion (approximately R$ 6.6 billion), taking the top spot in a list that features the richest young people on the planet.
Livia’s fortune originates from her family’s inheritance from WEG, one of the largest manufacturers of electric motors and industrial equipment in the world. She is the granddaughter of Werner Ricardo Voigt, co-founder of the Santa Catarina company, who passed away in 2016.
Livia Wojt’s fortune is due to one of the most intelligent succession strategies ever implemented in Brazil. The young woman owns about 3.1% of the company’s shares, but does not have a seat on the board of directors or the administrative council.
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Livia is only two months younger than the second place in the ranking, the Italian Clemente Del Vecchio, 20, heir to EssilorLuxottica, manufacturer of the Ray-Ban glasses brand. The age difference was crucial in placing the Brazilian at the top of the list of the youngest billionaires.
Voigt Family Dominates Billionaire Heir Ranking
The Voigt family’s presence in the Forbes list does not limit itself to Livia. Her older sister, Dora Voigt de Assis, 26, also appears in the ranking with equivalent shareholding and similar net worth. Both inherited approximately 3.1% of WEG’s shares and, together, have already accumulated millions in dividends.
Other family members are also part of the select group of global billionaires. Eduardo Voigt Schwartz and Mariana Voigt Schwartz Gomes, Livia’s cousins, each hold about 4% of the company’s shares, totaling US$ 1.3 billion in individual net worth. Anne Werninghaus, granddaughter of Geraldo Werninghaus, another co-founder of WEG, completes the list with a fortune of US$ 1.2 billion.
All family members are grandchildren of the three co-founders of WEG: Werner Ricardo Voigt, Eggon João da Silva, and Geraldo Werninghaus, who have all passed away and left their stakes to their heirs.
WEG: The Santa Catarina Giant Behind the Fortune
WEG was founded in 1961 in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, initially focused on the production of electric motors. Today, the company operates in 17 countries and has a commercial presence in more than 135 nations, with over 47,000 employees distributed globally.
In 2024, WEG achieved a net revenue of R$ 38 billion, with 57% of sales made outside Brazil. The company has expanded over the decades, diversifying its production to include electronic components, industrial automation, transformers, paints, and varnishes.
The Brazilian multinational has become a global reference in the field of electromechanical equipment, distinguished by its constant innovation in energy efficiency, renewable energies, and electric mobility. In 2024, WEG surpassed Vale and became the third largest publicly traded company on the B3, the Brazilian stock exchange.
Discreet Profile and University Life
Despite her billionaire fortune, Livia Voigt maintains an extremely discreet profile. Affectionately known as “Lillos” by her close ones, the young woman lives with her family in Florianópolis and is currently studying psychology at a university.
Daughter of a Santa Catarina native and a Carioca who graduated in physical education, Livia grew up practicing sports, especially skateboarding, a passion developed since childhood. During her teenage years, she participated in dance groups at school and even considered starting a YouTube channel, but chose to keep her privacy.
Among her interests are Japanese mangas, racing games, and artists like Katy Perry and Bruno Mars. The young billionaire values outdoor activities and shows appreciation for nature, as recorded on her social networks.
Generation of Billionaire Heirs
The 2024 Forbes list revealed that all 25 billionaires under 30 inherited their fortunes, marking the first time in 15 years that no young billionaire built their wealth on their own. The ranking includes 265 new billionaires from 32 different countries, who together accumulate US$ 510 billion.
The average age among the richest billionaires in the world remains around 66 years, making youth a rarity in the landscape of great fortunes. The presence of Livia and other young heirs reflects a phenomenon known as “great generational wealth transfer”, where trillions of dollars are changing hands as founders of large companies pass away and leave their fortunes to descendants.
Among the new billionaires on the 2024 list are prominent names such as singer Taylor Swift, former NBA player Magic Johnson, and the founders of fashion retailer Shein. In Brazil, in addition to Livia, Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook and the richest Brazilian with a fortune of US$ 28 billion, and Cristina Junqueira, co-founder of Nubank, also made the list.
What do you think about the concentration of billionaire fortunes in the hands of young heirs? Livia Voigt’s story raises important debates about social inequality, wealth transfer, and the role of inheritances in building large fortunes. Does individual merit still matter in the world of billionaires? Share your opinion in the comments.
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