Billionaire Profile
Stefan von Holtzbrinck
Global Rank
#677

Image: Stefan Flöper | CC BY-SA 4.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Stefan von Holtzbrinck

CEO, Publishing
GERMANY
Real-Time Net Worth
$6.224B
Estimated based on Publishing stock value as of April 20, 2026
-0.23% (24h)
Age
62
Source
Publishing
Industry
Media & Entertainment
Citizenship
GERMANY

Biography

Stefan von Holtzbrinck is a German billionaire and publishing executive. He inherited a significant stake in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, which was founded by his father, Georg von Holtzbrinck. Stefan serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. He has overseen the expansion of the company's global presence, including major acquisitions and strategic partnerships within the media and entertainment industry. As of March 2026, his net worth is estimated at $5.3 billion, reflecting his success in the publishing sector and his investments in various e-commerce ventures.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/20/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Stefan von Holtzbrinck was born on May 15, 1963, in Ettlingen, Germany. He is the son of Georg von Holtzbrinck, who founded the Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck. Stefan studied law and German at the Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen and the Ludwig-Maximillians University of Munich. He also apprenticed at Bloomsbury Publishing in London.

Rise to Success

In 1994, Stefan joined the family business, Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, and took over management in 2001. Under his leadership, the company has grown into one of the largest publishing houses in the world. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group owns several well-known publishing companies, including Macmillan Publishers, Springer Nature, and others. He has expanded the company's focus on science, education, and technology publications.

Key Business Strategies

Stefan von Holtzbrinck has focused on adapting to the digital landscape, investing in digital ventures to expand the group's reach. He has overseen strategic mergers, such as the combination of Macmillan Science and Education with Springer Science+Business Media to create Springer Nature. The Holtzbrinck Publishing Group has expanded its global presence across trade, education, and science sectors. The company also owns a majority stake in Springer Nature, a leading academic and scientific publisher.

Philanthropy

Stefan von Holtzbrinck is involved in various philanthropic endeavors. He is the chairman of the board of trustees for the Max-Planck-Förderstiftung. He is also the chairman of the board of trustees of "Kinderfreundliches Stuttgart" and a member of the board of directors of the Bürgerstiftung Stuttgart.

Career Milestones

1994

Joined Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

Stefan von Holtzbrinck joined the family business after training at Bloomsbury Publishing.

2001

CEO of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

Stefan became the CEO of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group.

2015

Merger with Springer Science+Business Media

He oversaw the merger of Macmillan Science and Education with Springer Science+Business Media to form Springer Nature.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education and Research

Max-Planck-Förderstiftung

Undisclosed

Chairman of the board of trustees for the Max-Planck-Förderstiftung.

Community Development

"Kinderfreundliches Stuttgart"

Undisclosed

Chairman of the board of trustees.

Community Development

Bürgerstiftung Stuttgart

Undisclosed

Member of the board of directors.