Meet the 5 Richest Self-Made Billionaires in Fashion

From shaping legacies to substantial philanthropic contributions, these five industry billionaires have independently built their fortunes and left an indelible mark on fashion. All are categorized as self-made by Forbes, with their net worths calculated as of June 14, 2024.

- JAMILA GANDHI

1. Amancio Ortega

Net worth: $113.4 billion

Citizenship: Spain

Spain’s richest person, Ortega is a leading figure in the global clothing retail industry. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1963 with the establishment of Confecciones GOA, a dressmaking workshop. In 1975, he and his late ex-wife Rosalia Mera opened the first Zara store in Spain. Inditex was officially founded in 1985, consolidating various brands under one umbrella. As of April 2024, it had 5,698 stores worldwide, including brands like Massimo Dutti, Bershka, and Pull&Bear. Ortega owns approximately 60% of Inditex. In 2022, his daughter Marta Ortega Pérez took over as chairperson. The 88-year-old’s namesake foundation focuses on education and social welfare. In the 2023 financial year, which ended January 2024, the group reported a 10.4% increase in revenues to reach $38.9 billion and recorded net profits of $5.8 billion.

2. Phil Knight & family

Net worth: $39.4 billion

Citizenship: U.S.

Knight is the cofounder of Nike and served as its chairman until his retirement in 2016. A track athlete at the University of Oregon, Knight created Nike with his former coach, Bill Bowerman.