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Billionaire Profile
Dieter Schwarz
Global Rank
#37

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Dieter Schwarz

CEO, Schwarz-Gruppe (Lidl and Kaufland)
DE
Real-Time Net Worth
$38B
As of December 2025
Age
86
Source
Retail
Industry
fashion-retail
Citizenship
DE

Biography

Dieter Schwarz, born in 1939, is a German retail magnate with an estimated net worth of $38 billion as of March 8, 2024. He is the owner of the Schwarz-Gruppe, a retail empire encompassing Lidl and Kaufland, and is ranked #37 on the Forbes list of billionaires. His career began in his family's wholesale business, leading to the establishment of the first Lidl store in 1973. Schwarz's strategic vision and dedication to efficiency and customer value have solidified his position as a leader in the retail industry. Despite his wealth, he maintains a reclusive lifestyle, focusing on business operations and philanthropy through the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Dieter Schwarz was born on September 24, 1939, in Heilbronn, Germany. His father, Josef Schwarz, was a businessman. Schwarz's upbringing instilled in him values of perseverance and financial prudence, which later became the foundation of his business empire. After completing his secondary education, he pursued a commercial apprenticeship at his father's company.

Rise to Success

Schwarz joined his father's fruit wholesale business, Lidl & Schwarz KG. In 1973, he opened his first Lidl store. After his father's death in 1977, he became the CEO and expanded the business. He expanded Lidl throughout Germany and then across Europe. In 1984, he launched Kaufland, a hypermarket chain.

Key Business Strategies

Schwarz's success is attributed to his focus on efficiency, cost control, and customer satisfaction. He prioritized sustainable growth, making strategic decisions that guided the expansion of Lidl and Kaufland. The Schwarz-Gruppe's model emphasizes low costs, high-quality products, and a customer-centric approach.

Philanthropy

Schwarz manages his resources through the tax-exempt Dieter Schwarz Foundation, which supports education, daycare facilities, science, and research projects. He transferred his shares in Lidl and Kaufland into the foundation.

Career Milestones

1973

Opened first Lidl store

Opened his first discount store in Ludwigshafen am Rhein.

1977

Became CEO of Lidl

Took over the leadership of Lidl after his father's death.

1984

Launched Kaufland

Opened the first Kaufland hypermarket in Neckarsulm.

1999

Established Dieter Schwarz Foundation

Transferred shares into the Dieter Schwarz Foundation to support education and research.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Dieter Schwarz Foundation

$XB

Supports education and daycare facilities for children, as well as science and research projects.