Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#963

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Rodney Sacks & family

CEO, Monster Beverage Corporation

Real-Time Net Worth

$4.3B

As of December 2025

Age

Source

Energy drinks

Industry

food-beverage

Citizenship

Biography

Rodney Sacks, a South African-born billionaire, is the chairman and CEO of Monster Beverage Corporation, a leading force in the energy drink industry. Born in 1949, Sacks is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand with a law degree. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1989 after a successful legal career in South Africa, where he was the youngest partner at Werksmans, a major corporate law firm. Since taking the helm of Hansen Natural Corporation (later Monster Beverage) in 1990, Sacks has overseen the company's transformation and growth, leading to a current estimated net worth of $4.3 billion from energy drinks. His leadership has been key to Monster's success, with the company holding a substantial market share in the global energy drink market.

Wealth Over Time

Portfolio Holdings

Monster Beverage Corp

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Rodney Cyril Sacks was born in 1949 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants. He earned a law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and a postgraduate higher diploma in tax law. Sacks began his career as a lawyer in South Africa.

Rise to Success

Sacks began his career as a lawyer in South Africa, and was the youngest person to become a partner at Werksmans, a large corporate law firm. In August 1989, Sacks and his family emigrated to California after nearly 20 years at Werksmans. In 1990, Sacks led a consortium that acquired Hansen Natural Corporation, the company that would later become Monster Beverage Corporation. He has served as chairman and CEO of Monster Beverage since 1990. Under Sacks' leadership, the company launched the Monster brand energy drink in 2002 and changed its name to Monster Beverage in 2012. In June 2025, Sacks will resign as co-CEO and will remain as Chairman through December 31, 2026.

Key Business Strategies

Sacks' strategic approach included the acquisition of Hansen Natural Corporation and the subsequent launch of the Monster Energy drink, which has become a global brand. The company’s success is attributed to its effective marketing and innovation, including segmentation of the energy drink market with various product lines.

Philanthropy

Information regarding Rodney Sacks' philanthropy is unavailable.

Career Milestones

1990

Acquired Hansen Natural Corporation

Led a consortium to acquire Hansen Natural Corporation, later known as Monster Beverage Corporation.

1990

Chairman and CEO of Hansen Natural Corporation

Assumed the role of Chairman and CEO, guiding the company's strategy and operations.

2002

Launched Monster Energy Drink

Oversaw the launch of the Monster Energy brand, which became the company's flagship product.

2012

Rebranded to Monster Beverage Corporation

Changed the company's name from Hansen Natural Corporation to Monster Beverage Corporation.

2021

Co-CEO

Took the role of co-CEO.

2025

Resigned as co-CEO

Stepped down from his position as co-CEO and is set to remain as Chairman.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Unknown

$XB

Philanthropic efforts not found in the search results.

Controversies & Challenges

Unknown

Lawsuit related to Monster drinks

Monster Energy faced a lawsuit related to the safety of its beverages.