Vicky Safra, the Thessaloniki-born philanthropist and banking heiress, has been named the richest person of Greek origin in 2026, according to the latest Forbes list of the world's wealthiest individuals. Her fortune is estimated at $27bn, placing her among the most prominent figures of Greek heritage in global finance.
Safra was born Vicky Sarfati in Thessaloniki but moved with her family to Brazil as a child, part of a wider migration in search of new opportunities in a rapidly developing economy. In Brazil, she met Joseph Safra, a banker of Lebanese descent whose family had already built a powerful presence in international banking. The couple married in 1969 when she was just 17.
Joseph Safra went on to build Banco Safra into one of Brazil's largest private banks, while the broader Safra family banking empire expanded internationally. Over time, the group developed a global network of financial institutions and investments, including subsidiaries in major markets such as the United States and Switzerland.
Following Joseph Safra's death in December 2020, Vicky Safra and the couple's four children inherited the vast fortune tied to the family's banking and investment activities. Today, the Safra family operates across international banking and real estate through the J. Safra Group, which includes the Swiss private bank J. Safra Sarasin and Safra National Bank of New York.
The family's investment portfolio also includes landmark properties around the world, notably London's iconic Gherkin skyscraper and high-end real estate in New York. Their strategy has long emphasised conservative but steady growth, combining banking operations with major property investments. In March 2025, J. Safra Sarasin agreed to acquire around 70% of Denmark's Saxo Bank in a deal valued at approximately $1.2bn, further expanding the group's presence in European financial markets.
While the Safra family maintains a significant role in global finance, Vicky Safra herself has largely remained out of the public spotlight. Much of her public profile centres on philanthropy through the Vicky and Joseph Safra Philanthropic Foundation, which supports hospitals, education initiatives, cultural institutions and the restoration of historic monuments.
Now aged 73, Safra holds both Greek and Brazilian citizenship and lives primarily in Switzerland, while the next generation runs the family's business empire. Her eldest son, Jacob Safra, oversees the Swiss bank J. Safra Sarasin, Safra National Bank of New York and the family's international real estate portfolio, while David Safra manages Banco Safra in Brazil.
