Four German nationals, despite their billions, remain among the world's lesser-known young billionaires.
In the world of pharmaceuticals, one name stands tall among the rest - Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany's largest private pharmaceutical company. This powerhouse company has a rich history, dating back to 1885 when it was founded by Albert Boehringer. Today, the company's fortune is shared among four siblings: Johannes, Franz, Katharina, and Maximilian von Baumbach.
The exact nature of the von Baumbachs' involvement in Boehringer Ingelheim is not publicly disclosed, but it is known that they are heirs to the company. The siblings, who are German, have managed to amass a fortune of around 5.8 billion dollars (approximately five billion euros) each, according to Forbes. This wealth has placed them among the wealthiest people in the world, regularly featuring on the Forbes list.
Despite their wealth, the von Baumbach siblings have managed to maintain a low profile. They are rarely seen in public, and photos of them are scarce. This reclusive nature has kept them away from the media glare, unlike other German billionaires such as Dieter Schwarz, Reinhold Würth, or Hasso Plattner.
Boehringer Ingelheim's success can be attributed to its diverse product portfolio. The company produces blood clotting agents, medications for lung diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Boehringer Ingelheim is particularly renowned for its diabetes type 2 medications. In 2024, the company generated a turnover of around 26.8 million euros.
The von Baumbach siblings' wealth has been built over generations. Predecessors who led Boehringer Ingelheim before the current generation include Hubertus von Baumbach, who served as Chairman of the Management Board, as well as Carinne and Shashank in leadership roles.
With more than 54,000 employees at locations such as Dortmund, Vienna, and Shanghai, Boehringer Ingelheim continues to be a significant player in the pharmaceutical industry. The von Baumbach siblings, despite their youth (ages ranging from 20 to 27 years old), have proven to be shrewd businesspeople, managing to maintain their wealth without receiving much media attention. They remain strictly behind the scenes, continuing the legacy of their predecessors and contributing to the growth of Boehringer Ingelheim.
