Brazilian businessman Antonio Ermirio de Moraes has an estimated net worth of $5.95 billion as of March 2017, according to Bloomberg. According to Forbes Magazine, he is #74 in the World Billionaires List (#67 in 2012), and the 3rd richest person in Brazil. Born on June 4, 1928 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he is the former chairman of Grupo Votorantin, a family-owned conglomerate with interests in steel, metals, pulp, finance, energy and cement. The company was founded in 1918 when his grandfather bought a textile factory in Sao Paulo. Today, it operates in more than 25 countries around the world.

As part of the third generation who still runs business with 100% controlling stake, Antonio serves as the public face of the family. He has had direct political involvement with the advocate to promote democracy, the improvement of the national health system as well as increasing job opportunities. In 1986, he ran for governor in the state of Sao Paulo but he lost the bid. As a prolific writer, he also writes a weekly column for Sao Paulo newspapers and magazines in national circulation. He is a member of the Academia Paulista de Letras and also writes plays.

De Moraes holds a degree in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines where his father also studied. He served as the president of the Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital in Sao Paulo, a hospital that provides services to the state’s citizens who are below the poverty line. Recently, it was announced that his grandson Artur Fertitas will succeed as the president. His other grandson is IndyCar Series driver Mario Moraes.