The Ofer family: Israel's wealthiest dynasty. Sammy and Yuli built a shipping empire from one vessel in the 1950s. Sons Eyal ($33.6B) and Idan ($31.1B) now control ZIM, ICL, BAZAN, and global shipping.
The Shipping Brothers Who Became Israel's Wealthiest Family
The Ofer family (משפחת עופר) is the wealthiest family in Israeli business history. Founded on a single ship purchased in the 1950s by Romanian-born brothers Sammy Ofer (1922–2011) and Yuli Ofer (1924–2011), the family's holdings now span shipping, energy, chemicals, real estate, technology, semiconductors, and sports — with combined assets estimated at more than $60 billion across the second generation.
The Ofer family is one of 20 families that control 25% of Israel's exchange-listed companies.
Sammy and Yuli: The Founders
Sammy Ofer (סמי עופר) was born on February 22, 1922, in Galați, Romania. His family immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1924, settling in Haifa. Sammy's father, Joseph Hershkovitz, established a ship chandlery business in the 1930s, supplying ships calling at Haifa port.
Sammy and his younger brother Yuli entered shipping as teenagers. In the 1950s, they purchased their first vessel and founded a company in partnership with shipping magnate Mordechai Meno. Over four decades, they built what became Israel's most formidable shipping conglomerate.
In 1999, the Ofer family acquired a controlling interest in Israel Corporation (TASE) — Israel's largest publicly traded holding company — gaining strategic stakes in ICL (Israel Chemicals), Oil Refineries Ltd (BAZAN), ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, and Tower Semiconductor.
The 2002 Split
In 2002, Sammy and Yuli divided the family empire. Sammy's sons — Eyal and Idan — received 80% of the controlling shares in Israel Corporation. Yuli's children — Liora and Doron — received the lion's share of the family real estate operations. Both brothers died in 2011.
Eyal Ofer
Eyal Ofer (born 1950, Haifa) is chairman of Ofer Global, Zodiac Group, and Global Holdings. Based in Monaco. Net worth approximately $33.6 billion (Forbes, March 2026) — making him the wealthiest Israeli in the world. His empire spans shipping (Zodiac Maritime), real estate (Global Holdings, with prime assets in New York, London, and Monaco), and energy.
Idan Ofer
Idan Ofer (born 1955, Haifa) is founder and principal of Quantum Pacific Group. Net worth approximately $31.1 billion (Forbes). He controls 51% of Israel Corporation, and through it holds major positions in ZIM (NYSE: ZIM), ICL, and BAZAN. His shipping operations include Eastern Pacific Shipping (~210 vessels), XT Shipping, and Ace Tankers. He owns a 28% stake in Atlético de Madrid and 85% of Portuguese club FC Famalicão. In 2015, Israel Corp spun off power, transportation, and shipping units into NYSE-listed Kenon Holdings.
Key Facts
Founders: Sammy Ofer (1922–2011) and Yuli Ofer (1924–2011) · Romanian-born, immigrated 1924
Second generation: Eyal Ofer (~$33.6B) · Idan Ofer (~$31.1B) · Liora Ofer · Doron Ofer
Key holdings: Israel Corporation (TASE) · ZIM (NYSE) · ICL · BAZAN · Tower Semiconductor · Eastern Pacific Shipping · Zodiac Maritime · Global Holdings · Kenon Holdings (NYSE)
Combined family wealth: $60B+ (estimated)
Sports: Atlético de Madrid (28%) · FC Famalicão (85%)
Split: 2002 — Sammy's sons (industrial/shipping) vs. Yuli's children (real estate)
