Nicky Oppenheimer chaired De Beers for 14 years before selling his family's 40 percent stake to Anglo American in 2012 for 5.1 billion dollars, ending 85 years of Oppenheimer control over diamonds.
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Nicky Oppenheimer, born June 8, 1945, in Johannesburg, is the grandson of Ernest Oppenheimer, the German-Jewish immigrant who founded Anglo American in 1917 and took control of De Beers in 1929. Nicky chaired De Beers from 1998 to 2012, when he sold his family's 40 percent stake to Anglo American for 5.1 billion dollars, ending 85 years of Oppenheimer control over the world's dominant diamond producer. Bloomberg has estimated his net worth above 12 billion dollars.
Who Is Nicky Oppenheimer?
Nicky Oppenheimer is a South African businessman and the third generation of his family to lead De Beers, the diamond mining company his grandfather Ernest Oppenheimer took control of in 1929.
At a Glance
| Born | June 8, 1945, Johannesburg. Son of Harry Oppenheimer, grandson of Ernest Oppenheimer, founder of Anglo American in 1917 |
| Education | Harrow School; Christ Church, Oxford, MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics |
| De Beers career | Deputy chairman from 1985; chairman of the Diamond Trading Company from 1985; chairman of De Beers Group from 1998 to 2012 |
| 2012 sale | Sold the family's remaining 40 percent stake in De Beers to Anglo American for 5.1 to 5.2 billion dollars, ending 85 years of Oppenheimer family control |
| Current investments | Maintains private equity holdings through London-based Stockdale Street and Johannesburg-based Tana Africa Capital |
| Net worth | Approximately 12 billion dollars, Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2025, making him one of the wealthiest people in Africa |
| Conservation | Owns approximately 720 square miles of conservation land spanning South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana |
How Did the Oppenheimer Family Build Its Diamond Empire?
Nicky Oppenheimer's grandfather, Ernest Oppenheimer, was a German-born Jewish diamond merchant who emigrated to South Africa in 1902 and founded Anglo American Corporation in 1917 to mine the Witwatersrand gold fields near Johannesburg. In 1929 he took control of De Beers Consolidated Mines, transforming it from Cecil Rhodes's original diamond concern into a company that at its peak controlled more than 85 percent of the world's rough diamond supply. Nicky's father, Harry Oppenheimer, led both Anglo American and De Beers through much of the twentieth century.
Nicky Oppenheimer joined the family businesses and became deputy chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines and chairman of its Diamond Trading Company subsidiary in 1985, before becoming chairman of the full De Beers Group in 1998, a position he held for 14 years.
Why Did Nicky Oppenheimer Sell the Family's Stake in De Beers?
In 2012 Oppenheimer orchestrated the sale of the family's remaining 40 percent stake in De Beers to Anglo American for approximately 5.1 billion dollars in cash, concluding 85 years of Oppenheimer family control over the diamond giant. The sale came as De Beers navigated market fluctuations and the emergence of synthetic diamonds. Since then Oppenheimer has redeployed his capital into private equity investments across Africa, Asia, the United States and Europe through Stockdale Street and Tana Africa Capital, and into large-scale conservation land holdings across southern Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nicky Oppenheimer?
Nicky Oppenheimer is a South African businessman who chaired De Beers, the world's leading diamond company, from 1998 to 2012, before selling his family's stake to Anglo American.
Why did the Oppenheimer family sell its De Beers stake?
Nicky Oppenheimer sold the family's 40 percent stake in De Beers to Anglo American in 2012 for approximately 5.1 billion dollars, ending 85 years of family control as the diamond market faced new pressures.
What is Nicky Oppenheimer's net worth?
Bloomberg's Billionaires Index has estimated Nicky Oppenheimer's net worth at approximately 12 billion dollars in recent rankings.
Who founded the Oppenheimer family's mining empire?
Nicky Oppenheimer's grandfather, Ernest Oppenheimer, a German-born Jewish diamond merchant, founded Anglo American Corporation in 1917 and took control of De Beers in 1929.
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מי הוא ניקי אופנהיימר?
ניקי אופנהיימר, יליד 1945 ביוהנסבורג, נכדו של ארנסט אופנהיימר, מייסד Anglo American ו-De Beers. ניקי שימש כיו"ר De Beers מ-1998 עד 2012, עד שמכר את חלק המשפחה בעסקה של 5.1 מיליארד דולר ל-Anglo American. הונו מוערך במעל מ-12 מיליארד דולר.
The Olam Editorial Team | The Builders / הבונים
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