Wendy Appelbaum is Mzansi’s richest lady. Image via Twitter @dirco_za.
R2.6 billion net worth: Who is SA’s richest lady, Wendy Appelbaum?
From her billionaire parents to her business ventures, here are five things to know about South Africa’s richest woman, Wendy Appelbaum.
Wendy Appelbaum is Mzansi’s richest lady. Image via Twitter @dirco_za.
August marks Women’s Month in South Africa…Here are five things to know about South Africa’s richest woman, Wendy Appelbaum, who boasts a net worth of R2.6 billion.
WHO IS WENDY APPELBAUM?
Mzansi’s richest lady, Wendy Appelbaum, was born to billionaire couple Sir Donald Gordon and Peggy Gordon in 1961. Gordon was a South African businessman who founded Liberty Life Association of Africa in 1957.
She is the only daughter to her parents, but has two brothers – Richard and Graeme. They grew up in Johannesburg, Gauteng. According to Briefly, she has a net worth of R2.6 billion.
Here are five things to know about Mzansi’s richest lady.
1. APPELBAUM STUDIED AT WITS
According to Entrepreneurs.ng, Appelbaum studied psychology at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). She thereafter worked at her father’s company the Liberty Group and became the director of Liberty Investors.
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2. SHE STARTED HER OWN INVESTMENT COMPANY
Appelbaum started her own venture – an investment company called Wiphold along with ten other ladies. The company aimed to empower women from various walks of life.
“Wiphold was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life… We empowered women that were technically completely disadvantaged, really empowered them to understand how to invest and take a little bit of money and make it a lot,” she said according to How We Made It In Africa.
“There was an incredible amount of energy in that boardroom. I’ve never been in a boardroom that good ever since,” she continued.
3. APPELBAUM STARTED HER OWN WINE FARM IN STELLENBOSCH
The billionaire decided to sell her shares in the Liberty Group. She bought a wine farm called DeMorgenzon Wine Estate in 2003. The wine farm is 224 acres of garden vineyard where abundant wildflowers grow between the vines and is located in Stellenbosch
4. SHE IS MARRIED TO HYLTON APPELBAUM
Wendy is married to Hylton Appelbaum, a trustee of the Kagiso Trust and a director of its subsidiaries, Kagiso Capital and Kagiso Media and more.
5. THE APPELBAUM’S HAVE TWO SONS
Wendy has two sons with Hylton Nicholas and Matthew.
This Women’s Month, we are calling all young female writers to join our exciting Women in Journalism initiative. Find out more here!
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