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Billionaire Profile
Eric Wittouck
Global Rank
#360

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Eric Wittouck

CEO, Artal Group
BE
Real-Time Net Worth
$9B
As of December 2025
Age
79
Source
Investments
Industry
finance-investments
Citizenship
BE

Biography

Eric Wittouck, a Belgian billionaire born on October 5, 1946, is a prominent figure in the finance and investments industry, currently with a net worth of $9.0 billion. His wealth stems primarily from investments, showcasing his strategic acumen in the business world. Wittouck's career includes a significant role in the sugar industry through the family-owned Tiense Suiker, which he later sold for a substantial profit. His investments, managed by Invus, a New York-based private equity firm, have yielded remarkable returns, particularly in Weight Watchers, where he held a significant stake. Wittouck's success also includes profitable ventures like the sale of Blue Buffalo to General Mills. He is recognized as the richest person in Belgium.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Eric Wittouck was born on October 5, 1946, into a distinguished family of the Seven Noble Houses of Brussels. His lineage is connected to the Russian imperial family through his mother, Princess Hélène Sherbatow. In his youth, he inherited the Tiense Suiker fortune, a family-run sugar business.

Rise to Success

Wittouck demonstrated strategic acumen by selling Tiense Suiker to Südzucker, a German sugar conglomerate, in the 1980s for $1.5 billion, which marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. He later made significant investments through the Artal Group, including praline manufacturer Neuhaus and the diet company Weight Watchers. His foresight led to the acquisition of Weight Watchers, which, with the help of Oprah Winfrey's investment, increased in value.

Key Business Strategies

Key to Wittouck's success was his long-term investment strategy, particularly with Invus, a New York private equity firm. Invus managed Wittouck's wealth and achieved substantial returns through investments in companies like Weight Watchers and Blue Buffalo. Another key strategy was selling shares in Blue Buffalo to General Mills in 2018 for a profit of $3.5 billion.

Philanthropy

Information about Eric Wittouck's specific philanthropic contributions is limited in the search results. However, his family's history indicates involvement in charitable endeavors through events organized by his second wife, Mayu Amano's event management company, High Life Monaco.

Career Milestones

1980s

Sold Tiense Suiker

Sold Tiense Suiker to Südzucker for $1.5 billion.

1999

Acquired Weight Watchers

Acquired Weight Watchers for over $700 million.

2018

Sold Blue Buffalo

Sold shares in Blue Buffalo to General Mills, yielding a profit of $3.5 billion.

2023

Sold remaining shares in Weight Watchers

Sold remaining shares in Weight Watchers.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Charity

High Life Monaco

Unknown

Event management company for charity.