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Billionaire Profile
Hasso Plattner & family
Global Rank
#226

Image: Claude Monet | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Hasso Plattner & family

CEO, Software
San Jose, California
Real-Time Net Worth
$14.1B
Estimated based on Software stock value as of September 10, 2026
+0.36% (24h)
Age
82
Source
Software
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
Germany

Biography

Hasso Plattner, born January 21, 1944, is a German entrepreneur and philanthropist. As the co-founder of SAP SE, he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the software industry. Plattner's career began in 1972 when he and four colleagues left IBM to establish SAP, which later became a global leader in enterprise resource planning. His net worth is estimated at $12.7 billion (March 2026). Plattner served as co-CEO of SAP until 2003 and then as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board until 2024, influencing the company's strategic direction. He is also known for his significant philanthropic contributions through the Hasso Plattner Foundation, supporting education, art, and environmental conservation.

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Data Updated
Sep 10, 2026
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Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$14.1B
2025$13.8B
2024$13.6B
2020$17.9B

Portfolio Holdings

SAP SE

SAP SE

SAP•Technology
$10.7B
Holdings Value
Ownership
6.1%
Walldorf, Germany
74,000+ employees
Founded 1972

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Hasso Plattner was born in Berlin, Germany, on January 21, 1944. His family moved to Bavaria, where he spent his formative years. He earned a master's degree in communications engineering from the University of Karlsruhe in 1968.

Rise to Success

Plattner's career took off in 1972 when he, along with Dietmar Hopp, Klaus Tschira, Hans-Werner Hector, and Claus Wellenreuther, left IBM to create their own company. This led to the founding of SAP (Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing). In 1973, SAP launched its first commercial product, the RF financial accounting system. The company went public in 1988. Plattner served as co-CEO of SAP until 2003, and as Chairman of the Supervisory Board from 2003 to 2024.

Key Business Strategies

SAP's success was driven by its focus on enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The company developed various software modules, including SAP R/2 and SAP R/3. The client-server software smoothed the path to a globalized economy, turning SAP into a global player. SAP responded to the Internet and new economy by launching its mysap.com strategy in 1999. In 2011, SAP started using the in-memory database SAP HANA. The company has continued to innovate, with SAP S/4HANA taking ERP to the next level, using the power of in-memory computing.

Philanthropy

Plattner signed The Giving Pledge in February 2013. In 1998, he founded the non-profit Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI). In 2005, he set up Hasso Plattner Ventures. The Hasso Plattner Foundation supports various projects in education, art and culture, and conservation.

Career Milestones

1972

Co-founded SAP

Co-founded SAP with four colleagues.

1988

SAP went public

SAP went public in 1988.

2003

Stepped down as co-CEO of SAP

Stepped down as co-CEO of SAP at age 60.

2003-2024

Chaired the Supervisory Board of SAP

Chaired the Supervisory Board of SAP.

2013

Signed The Giving Pledge

Committed to giving at least half of his fortune to philanthropic causes.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI)

Undisclosed

Founded the Hasso Plattner Institute for IT Systems Engineering in Potsdam, Germany.

Various

Hasso Plattner Foundation

Undisclosed

Supports projects in education, art and culture, and conservation.

Education

Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University

$35M

Founded with a donation

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“We need more Hasso Plattners and more SAPs in order to get Germany moving again economically.”"

"“On one hand I feel obliged to support the company I once co-founded and on the other hand I want to give back to the society which enabled my education. The foundation is a way to do both.”"

Leadership Principles

Innovation

Committed to creating a software to solve real-time data processing and reporting.

Education

Believes in education as a key to a better future, supporting the next generation of innovators.

Philanthropy

Committed to giving back to society through charitable initiatives.

Billionaires Connected to Hasso Plattner & family

Peers in Technology

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Richest in Germany

All billionaires from Germany →

Adjacent Global Ranks

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hasso Plattner & family's net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Hasso Plattner & family's estimated net worth is $14.098 billion, ranking #226 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did Hasso Plattner & family make their money?
Hasso Plattner & family's wealth primarily comes from Software, most notably through Software.
Where is Hasso Plattner & family from?
Hasso Plattner & family is from Germany.
How old is Hasso Plattner & family?
Hasso Plattner & family is 82 years old.

Sources & References

Citations for this profile have not been published yet. Net worth figures here are estimates and should not be treated as verified. See our methodology for how these estimates are produced, or report a correction.