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Billionaire Profile
Nadia Thiele & family
Global Rank
#314

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Nadia Thiele & family

CEO, Knorr-Bremse AG
DE
Real-Time Net Worth
$10.01B
As of December 2025
Age
49
Source
Investments
Industry
manufacturing
Citizenship
DE

Biography

Nadia Thiele, at 49 years old, is a prominent German billionaire and philanthropist. She inherited her wealth from her late husband, Heinz Hermann Thiele, a major figure in the industrial sector. Her primary source of wealth is investments, particularly her significant stake in Knorr-Bremse AG, a leading manufacturer of braking systems. Nadia Thiele is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, including Knorr-Bremse Global Care. Residing in Munich, Germany, she holds a key position in the finance and investment industry and continues to build upon her family's legacy.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Information regarding Nadia Thiele's early life is limited. She was born on January 7, 1976, in Germany.

Rise to Success

Nadia Thiele's life took a significant turn after the passing of her husband, Heinz Hermann Thiele, in February 2021. Heinz Hermann Thiele was a prominent industrialist who owned a majority stake in Knorr-Bremse AG, a leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Upon his death, Nadia inherited the bulk of his fortune, making her the primary shareholder of Knorr-Bremse.

Key Business Strategies

Nadia Thiele's wealth is primarily derived from investments, particularly her stake in Knorr-Bremse. Following her husband's death, she, along with her stepdaughter Julia Thiele-Schürhoff, is a member of Knorr-Bremse Global Care's Executive Board.

Philanthropy

Nadia Thiele is involved in philanthropy through Knorr-Bremse Global Care, an organization that supports various causes. Her late husband supported institutions such as the Bavarian State Opera, the Lenbachhaus art museum, and the Deutsches Museum in Munich, along with the Technical University of Munich.

Career Milestones

2021

Inherited Wealth

Inherited the bulk of her husband's fortune, becoming the primary shareholder of Knorr-Bremse.

2021-Present

Knorr-Bremse Global Care

Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse Global Care, the company's affiliated charity organization.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Charity

Knorr-Bremse Global Care

N/A

Supports various philanthropic causes.

Controversies & Challenges

2025

Inheritance Tax Dispute

The Thiele family paid a record amount of almost €4 billion in inheritance taxes after a prolonged court battle.