How Did Stefan Persson Make His Money?

Stefan Persson’s Profile Summary

Company	H&M (Hennes & Mauritz AB)
Position	Chairman of the Board
Source of wealth	Fashion Retail, H&M, Real Estate
Also known as	Swedish Billionaire
Age	77
Education	University of Lund, Sweden
Citizenship	Sweden
Residence	Stockholm, Sweden
Family	Married, children
Website, Social Media	www.hm.com LinkedIn (H&M): linkedin.com/company/h&m

Stefan Persson’s biography

Stefan Persson, born on October 4, 1947, in Stockholm, Sweden, is the former CEO and current chairman of H&M, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers. Persson inherited Hennes & Mauritz from his father, Erling Persson, who founded the company in 1947. Under Stefan’s leadership, H&M grew from a Swedish retailer into a global fashion powerhouse with thousands of stores worldwide and a strong online presence.

Persson took over as CEO in 1982 and shifted the company’s focus towards affordable, high-fashion clothing for a broad customer base. He also expanded H&M’s operations into new markets, including Europe, North America, and Asia. His strategic approach to fast fashion revolutionized the industry by offering trendy designs at affordable prices with quick production cycles.

During his tenure, H&M acquired other brands, such as COS, Monki, Weekday, and & Other Stories, further diversifying the company’s portfolio. Stefan stepped down as CEO in 1998, passing the role to his son, Karl-Johan Persson, but he remains actively involved as the chairman of the board.

Persson is also one of the largest private landowners in Sweden and owns vast real estate holdings in London, Paris, and Stockholm through his company Ramsbury Invest. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $23 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Sweden.

How did Stefan Persson make money?
Stefan Persson’s wealth is primarily derived from H&M, the world’s second-largest fashion retailer after Inditex (the parent company of Zara). Persson took over the company in 1982, succeeding his father, Erling Persson, who founded Hennes & Mauritz in 1947 in Västerås, Sweden. At the time, the company was a small chain of women’s clothing stores in Sweden.

Persson transformed H&M into a global fashion empire through a series of strategic expansions and brand acquisitions. Under his leadership, H&M expanded internationally, opening stores across Europe, North America, and Asia. The company introduced a fast fashion model, allowing it to offer trendy designs at affordable prices by shortening production cycles and quickly responding to market demands.

Persson also diversified H&M’s brand portfolio, acquiring COS, Monki, Weekday, and & Other Stories, among others. This helped the company target different customer segments and broaden its global reach. H&M’s affordable pricing strategy and strong online presence have made it one of the most recognizable brands in the fashion industry.

Beyond fashion retail, Persson has significant real estate holdings through his investment company, Ramsbury Invest. He owns prime properties in London, Paris, and Stockholm, further contributing to his wealth.

Stefan Persson’s success is built on modernizing retail operations, expanding into new markets, and maintaining family control over H&M. His stake in H&M, combined with his real estate investments, continues to be the foundation of his immense wealth.
What is Stefan Persson net worth?

As of 2025, Stefan Persson’s net worth is estimated to be $18.4 B.

What is Stefan Persson also known as?

Stefan Persson is known as the former CEO and current chairman of H&M, one of the largest fast-fashion retailers globally. He is also a prominent real estate investor and one of the wealthiest individuals in Sweden.

Prominent achievements of Stefan Persson

Stefan Persson transformed H&M into one of the world’s leading fashion retailers. He led the international expansion of the brand and introduced the fast fashion model. He also diversified H&M’s portfolio by acquiring multiple brands and became one of Sweden’s wealthiest individuals.

What are Stefan Persson’s key insights?

Stefan Persson emphasizes affordable fashion for a broad audience. He believes in sustainability, family control, and quick adaptation to market trends as key factors for success in the retail industry.

Stefan Persson’s personal life

Stefan Persson is married and has three children, including Karl-Johan Persson, who served as H&M’s CEO from 2009 to 2020. The Persson family maintains significant control over H&M through their majority ownership stake.