The world’s youngest billionaire is 19 – How did he do it?

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At just 19 years old, Johannes von Baumbach has made history as the youngest billionaire in the world.

Forbes recognised him as the youngest billionaire globally, with an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion. The previous record-holder was Kevin David Lehmann, who became a billionaire at 18 in 2021, also through inheritance (his father founded a German drugstore chain).

But how did this teenager amass such wealth? Did he invent some groundbreaking tech app? Nope. Did he win the lottery? Not quite. Johannes’ wealth comes from something far more traditional: inheritance. He’s the heir to Boehringer Ingelheim, one of Germany’s largest and oldest pharmaceutical companies. But there’s more to his story than just being born into money.

Who is Johannes von Baumbach?

Johannes was born in 2006, making him just 19 years old when he officially joined the billionaire club. Unlike some young heirs who stay out of the spotlight, Johannes has been groomed for leadership from a young age. His father, Andreas von Baumbach, is a top executive in the company, and his grandfather, Hubertus von Baumbach, is the current chairman.

The von Baumbach family has controlled Boehringer Ingelheim for over 130 years. The company, founded in 1885, is a giant in the pharmaceutical world, producing well-known drugs like Pradaxa (a blood thinner) and Spiriva (for lung diseases). With over 53,000 employees worldwide and billions in revenue, it’s no surprise that the family’s wealth runs deep.

How did he become a billionaire so young?

Johannes didn’t “earn” his billions in the traditional sense. Instead, he inherited a stake in the family business after a restructuring of ownership shares. Boehringer Ingelheim is privately owned, meaning the family controls who gets what.

Recently, Forbes confirmed that Johannes now holds enough shares to push his net worth past the $1 billion mark, making him the youngest billionaire in the world.

Despite his newfound billionaire status, Johannes maintains a low public profile. There are no publicly available photographs of him, and details about his personal life and future plans remain scarce.

What does this mean for Johannes?

Being one of the richest people in the world at 19 comes with huge perks and huge responsibilities. Unlike many billionaires who started from scratch, Johannes is stepping into a century-old family legacy. That means he’ll likely take a leadership role at Boehringer Ingelheim in the future.

He’ll have to prove he’s more than just a “trust fund kid” by contributing to the company’s growth. And, he’ll be under constant public scrutiny. People will watch how he handles wealth at such a young age.

What’s next for the world’s youngest billionaire?

Right now, Johannes is still studying and preparing for his future role. The von Baumbach family is known for being low-key, so don’t expect flashy Instagram posts or supercar collections. Instead, Johannes will probably focus on learning the business and eventually taking his place in the company.

Wealth isn’t always about hard work. Sometimes, it’s about being in the right family.