Amancio Ortega Remains Spain's Richest Person With 125.2 Billion Euros

Amancio Ortega, founder of the fashion brand Zara, continues to hold his position as the wealthiest person in Spain, boasting an estimated net worth of 125.2 billion euros. According to the Forbes ranking released in November 2026, the 90-year-old entrepreneur experienced a 13.9 percent increase in his fortune compared to the previous year, accounting for roughly 41.7 percent of the country's new overall record of 300.53 billion euros among its elite citizens.

The significant growth in Ortega's wealth was primarily driven by the strong recovery and stock market gains of Inditex, the global textile giant and parent company of Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. Ortega controls nearly 60 percent of the company through his investment vehicle, Pontegadea, which also holds an extensive international real estate portfolio and investments across energy, logistics, and infrastructure sectors.

Following closely behind him is his daughter, Sandra Ortega, who retains the second spot on the list and remains the richest woman in Spain with a fortune valued at 11.5 billion euros. Her wealth is similarly tied to her ownership stake in Inditex, which she inherited from her late mother, Rosalía Mera.

The wider Forbes ranking highlights a broader economic rebound across various industries in Spain, pushed higher by favorable stock market dynamics. Retailers, financial institutions, and infrastructure leaders saw substantial gains, elevating the minimum threshold for entry into the top 100 list to 510 million euros. Analysts noted that the cumulative wealth of the country's hundred richest individuals has more than doubled over a roughly four-year span.

Other prominent business leaders also made notable shifts within the upper echelons of the 2026 list. Mercadona founder Juan Roig advanced to the third position with a fortune of 9.8 billion euros, propelled by strong profits and sales growth at his supermarket chain. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Escotet, president of Abanca, rose to fourth place with 8.1 billion euros, and Rafael del Pino, president of infrastructure firm Ferrovial, placed fifth with 7.8 billion euros.

Looking ahead, financial analysts predict continued profitability for Inditex, forecasting strong sales and dividend increases through 2029. Such projected payouts are expected to provide substantial dividend returns to major shareholders, further solidifying the financial standing of Spain's leading retail and business dynasties.