Swiss ultra-rich get a little poorer: report

ZURICH – The annual list of Switzerland’s richest people shows even the Alpine tax haven’s super-wealthy aren’t immune from the financial meltdown.

The 300 richest Swiss residents – half of whom are foreigners – together lost CHF 70 billion in 2007. Their combined wealth is now CHF 459 billion.

For the seventh year in a row, business magazine Bilanz listed Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad as the richest person in Switzerland, with an estimated wealth of CHF 35-36 billion.

The Hoffmann and Oeri families ranked second, based on a combined wealth of CHF 16-17 billion from their stake in drug maker Roche Holding. That’s CHF 2 billion less than in 2007.

The Brenninkmeijer family, founders of textile company C&A, came third with CHF 12-13 billion.

Among the worst-hit were Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, who lost CHF 3 billion, and the Geneva-based Latsis family, whose banking interests shrank by about CHF 4 billion.

Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer made it onto the list for the first time this year. His wealth is estimated at CHF 100-200 million, the magazine said.

[AP / Expatica]