Billionaire Profile
D
Global Rank
#334

Image: Publications Office of the European Union | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Daniel Kretinsky

CEO, Energy
CZECH REPUBLIC
Real-Time Net Worth
$10.158B
Estimated based on Energy stock value as of April 20, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
50
Source
Energy, investments
Industry
Finance & Investments
Citizenship
CZECH REPUBLIC

Biography

Daniel Kretinsky, born in 1975, is a Czech billionaire known for his significant investments in energy, media, retail, and sports. With an estimated net worth of $10.1 billion, Kretinsky's wealth primarily stems from his ownership and leadership of Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH), the largest energy group in Central Europe. His career began in law, but he quickly transitioned into finance, rising to partner at J&T Investment Group. He co-founded EPH in 2009, strategically investing in energy assets. Kretinsky has also diversified his portfolio, acquiring stakes in major European companies, and has significant holdings in the media and sports sectors.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/20/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Daniel Kretinsky was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), on July 9, 1975. His father is an informatics professor and his mother a former justice of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic. He studied at Masaryk University, earning a doctoral degree in Law and a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He started his career as a legal trainee.

Rise to Success

Kretinsky's career began in 1999 at J&T Investment Group, where he became a partner by 2003. In 2009, he co-founded Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH), focusing on energy investments. Under his leadership, EPH expanded to become one of the largest energy companies in Central and Eastern Europe. By the mid-2010s, EPH had become one of the largest energy groups in Europe.

Key Business Strategies

Kretinsky's business strategy is marked by a focus on long-term investments. He invested in energy assets, and diversified into media, retail, and sports. He has been known to invest in financially distressed assets and has built a network of businesses across Europe. Kretinsky's approach involves a counter-cyclical strategy, investing in assets considered unattractive by the market. This strategy is based on financial discipline and operational optimization.

Philanthropy

Information on Daniel Kretinsky's specific philanthropy amounts are not readily available in the search results. He is known to have donated to various charitable causes.

Career Milestones

1999

Joined J&T Investment Group

Began his career as a lawyer at J&T Investment Group.

2003

Became Partner at J&T Investment Group

Promoted to partner at the investment group.

2004

Chairman of AC Sparta Prague

Became chairman of the football club.

2009

Co-founded EPH

Co-founded Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH).

2021

Invested in West Ham United

Acquired a 27% stake in West Ham United and became a director.

2024

Royal Mail Takeover

EP Group gains control of Royal Mail.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Charity

Various Charitable Causes

Undisclosed

Donations to various charitable causes.

Controversies & Challenges

2024

Frustrating the energy transition

Accused of profiting from fossil fuels and hindering the transition to renewable energy.