Paul van Zuydam Joins Ranks of South Africa's Billionaires with $1.7 Billion Fortune

Paul van Zuydam has officially become South Africa's newest dollar billionaire, boasting a net worth of $1.7 billion, according to Forbes' December 2025 estimates. At the age of 87, van Zuydam is recognized for his ownership of Le Creuset, a renowned French cookware brand that he has successfully transformed into a global household name since acquiring it in the late 1980s. His strategic initiatives, including automating production processes and expanding into new markets, have significantly contributed to the company's impressive annual revenue of over $850 million, all achieved without incurring any debt. With van Zuydam's addition, South Africa now has a total of eight billionaires on the global list, joining the ranks of other notable figures such as Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer.