Top 7 Richest Men In Finland According To Forbes (2025)

When most people think about Finland, they picture serene landscapes, snowy winters, world-class education, and of course, Santa Claus. But beyond its peaceful image, this Nordic nation has produced some serious business heavyweights who’ve amassed fortunes in industries ranging from manufacturing to energy and healthcare.

According to the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List, Finland may not have dozens of billionaires like the US or China, but the few it has are immensely influential in both the Finnish and global economy. In this post, we break down the top seven richest men in Finland, their net worth, industries, and the stories behind their wealth.

1. Antti Herlin – $3.7 Billion

Age: 68
Industry: Manufacturing (Elevators, Escalators)
Source of Wealth: KONE Corporation

Antti Herlin stands tall (pun intended) as Finland’s richest man in 2025. He is the chairman and largest shareholder of KONE, one of the world’s top elevator and escalator companies. If you’ve ever taken a smooth ride up a skyscraper in New York, Dubai, or Shanghai, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced a KONE product.

Antti inherited much of his stake from his father, Pekka Herlin, but he didn’t just rest on family laurels. Under his leadership, KONE expanded aggressively into Asian markets, especially China, where urbanization drove massive demand for vertical transport solutions. Today, the company operates in over 60 countries and pulls in billions in annual revenue.

Outside KONE, Antti invests in agriculture and environmental projects, showing his interest in sustainable business practices.

2. Mika Anttonen – $2.2 Billion

Age: 58
Industry: Energy (Oil & Gas)
Source of Wealth: St1 Nordic Oy

Mika Anttonen is a self-made billionaire and the founder of St1, an energy company with operations spanning fuel retail, biofuels, and renewable energy. Starting as a fuel trader in the 1990s, Anttonen has transformed St1 into a major Nordic energy player with over 1,400 service stations in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

While oil and gas remain part of the portfolio, Mika is also betting heavily on renewable energy, particularly bioethanol production. He is a vocal advocate for climate-conscious energy production, aiming to steer the company toward a more sustainable future.

His business philosophy blends profitability with environmental responsibility — a balancing act not every energy mogul pulls off successfully.

3. Heikki Kyöstilä – $2.1 Billion

Age: 79
Industry: Healthcare (Dental Products)
Source of Wealth: Planmeca

If you’ve ever had a dental X-ray or sat in a high-tech dental chair, you might have unknowingly used one of Heikki Kyöstilä’s products. He is the founder and owner of Planmeca, one of the world’s leading dental equipment manufacturers.

Kyöstilä started the company in 1971 with a vision to innovate dental care technology. Today, Planmeca exports to over 120 countries, and its products are considered the gold standard in digital dental solutions.

What makes Heikki’s story remarkable is his ability to grow a global brand from Helsinki while keeping it privately owned — a rare feat in the age of multinational mergers.

4. Ilkka Herlin – $1.9 Billion

Age: 66
Industry: Manufacturing (Elevators, Escalators)
Source of Wealth: KONE Corporation

Yes, you read that right — another Herlin. Ilkka Herlin is Antti Herlin’s brother and also owns a significant stake in KONE. While Antti runs the show in corporate leadership, Ilkka has made his mark in environmental philanthropy.

Ilkka is passionate about the Baltic Sea’s environmental health and has poured millions into conservation projects. His approach to wealth is deeply tied to ecological restoration, proving that business success and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

5. Ilona Herlin – $1.8 Billion

Age: 60
Industry: Manufacturing (Elevators, Escalators)
Source of Wealth: KONE Corporation

The Herlin family influence continues with Ilona Herlin, sister to Antti and Ilkka. Like her brothers, she holds a substantial share in KONE. However, Ilona is more private about her life and business activities.

What is known is her commitment to cultural and environmental initiatives in Finland. Through family trusts and personal philanthropy, she supports projects that preserve Finnish heritage while promoting sustainability.

6. Antti Aarnio-Wihuri – $1.4 Billion

Age: 85
Industry: Diversified Holdings
Source of Wealth: Wihuri Group

Antti Aarnio-Wihuri is a classic example of old-school business diversification. He heads the Wihuri Group, a conglomerate involved in packaging, wholesale trade, technical trade, and even private aviation. The group operates in over 30 countries and employs thousands of people.

Beyond business, Antti has a passion for motorsports. In his younger days, he was a rally driver, and he continues to support Finnish motorsport talents. His mix of business acumen and adventurous spirit makes him one of Finland’s most colorful billionaires.

7. Heikki Herlin – $1.4 Billion

Age: 38
Industry: Manufacturing (Elevators, Escalators)
Source of Wealth: KONE Corporation

The youngest on the list, Heikki Herlin is part of the new generation of the Herlin dynasty. Holding shares in KONE, Heikki benefits from the company’s global success but also represents the future of the family’s business involvement.

At just 38, he has plenty of time to either step into a more active leadership role or diversify his investments beyond elevators and escalators.

Patterns and Observations

Looking at this list, a few clear patterns emerge:

1. Family Wealth Dominance:
   The Herlin family’s dominance is undeniable. Four of the seven richest individuals in Finland are members of this family, thanks to their large stakes in KONE.

2. Global Brands from a Small Country:
   From elevators to dental chairs, Finnish billionaires have created globally recognized brands despite Finland’s small population.

3. Sustainability Focus:
   Several of these billionaires — especially Mika Anttonen and Ilkka Herlin — are deeply involved in environmental sustainability, showing a strong Nordic cultural value in action.

4. Private Ownership:
   Unlike many billionaires in other countries, most of these fortunes come from privately held companies, giving the owners greater control and long-term vision.

Final Thoughts

Finland’s billionaire scene might be small in numbers, but it packs a punch in influence. These seven men (and in some cases, family groups) have built legacies that span generations, industries, and continents.

From the Herlin family’s elevator empire to Anttonen’s energy ventures and Kyöstilä’s dental innovations, Finland proves that a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability can create lasting global wealth.