Top 4 Richest Men In Colombia According To Forbes (2025)

Colombia’s business landscape is shaped by a select few—giants whose influence extends across banking, fintech, and various industries. According to the 2025 Forbes rankings, four Colombians stand out as the country’s richest, each with a distinct path to wealth. Let’s explore their stories and what makes them stand out.

1. Jaime Gilinski Bacal — $10.7 Billion

Source of Wealth: Banking & Finance (including recent moves into food processing)
Industry: Finance & Investments
Age: 67

Jaime Gilinski Bacal shares Colombia’s richest crown this year, tying at $10.7 billion. A Harvard MBA who began his career in investment banking, Gilinski forged his path through bold mergers and acquisitions. He’s taken control of Nutresa, Colombia’s food processing juggernaut, and holds significant stakes in Grupo Sura.

With major financial plays—including gaining control of Metro Bank in the UK—Gilinski’s wealth has surged by over 37% since 2024, making him the billionaire with the most growth in Colombia this year.

2. David Vélez & Family — $10.7 Billion

Source of Wealth: Fintech (Nubank)
Industry: Finance & Investments
Age: 43

David Vélez shares the top spot with Gilinski, also valued at $10.7 billion. Born in Medellín, he co-founded Nubank in 2013 with a vision to disrupt traditional banking in Latin America—bringing simplicity, transparency, and mobile-first convenience to millions of customers.

Nubank has grown rapidly, now valued at around $49 billion and serving over 100 million users across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Vélez continues to hold about 20% of Nubank through Nu Holdings and has a track record of reinvesting in growth markets.

3. Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo — $8.2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Banking (Grupo Aval)
Industry: Finance & Investments
Age: Approximately 92

Luis Carlos Sarmiento—long the face of Colombian banking—is now the third-richest person in the country, with a net worth of around $8.2 billion. From humble roots in construction, Sarmiento built Grupo Aval—now a financial empire controlling nearly one-third of Colombia’s banking sector, along with interests in pension funds, insurance, telecommunications, and media via El Tiempo and CityTV.

Even in retirement, his influence is profound: his conglomerate continues to shape Colombia’s economic direction.

4. Beatriz Dávila de Santo Domingo — $4.4 Billion

Source of Wealth: Beer & Media (Valorem, Bavaria)
Industry: Food & Beverage
Age: 86

Taking the fourth spot is Beatriz Dávila de Santo Domingo, widow of the late Julio Mario Santo Domingo, with a net worth of approximately $4.4 billion. As head of the Santo Domingo family’s holdings, she controls extensive interests through Valorem, including ownership in Anheuser-Busch InBev, local breweries like Bavaria, and media assets like Caracol and El Espectador.

Her position reflects how media, beverages, and family legacy converge to sustain generational influence.

Key Insights & Economic Takeaways

Here are the broader themes shaping Colombia’s billionaire ecosystem:

• Banking & Fintech Dominate
  The top three spots—Gilinski, Vélez, and Sarmiento—derive their wealth from the financial sector. While Sarmiento represents legacy banking, Gilinski blends traditional finance with bold acquisitions, and Vélez embodies fintech innovation.

• Rapid Wealth Ascents
  Gilinski’s 37% net worth jump signals how timely corporate moves—in sectors like food processing—can yield explosive growth. Vélez similarly benefited from Nubank’s expansion and IPO.

• Generational Influence vs. Disruption
  Sarmiento’s empire contracts institutions; Vélez’s Nubank disrupts them. This contrast highlights how modern economies balance tradition and innovation.

• Family Diaspora of Influence
  The Santo Domingo family's broad holdings across media, brewing, and energy underscore the enduring strength of family enterprises in Latin America.

Final Thoughts

Colombia’s richest individuals are not just numbers on a list—they are architects of industries and agents of change. Jaime Gilinski is reshaping corporate landscapes through audacious deals. David Vélez is redefining banking for a generation. Sarmiento’s legacy underpins Colombia’s financial stability, and Beatriz Dávila perpetuates her family’s dominion in media and beverages.

Together, they showcase a fascinating balance between deep-rooted influence and disruptive ambition.