Rafaela Aponte-Diamant stands out as one of the world’s wealthiest self-made women, according to Forbes’ 2024 billionaires list. While notable figures like Cloudflare cofounder Michelle Zatlyn, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su, and pop star Taylor Swift have amassed impressive fortunes, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant’s wealth significantly eclipses theirs.
A Staggering Net Worth
At 79 years old, Rafaela commands a net worth of $33 billion, placing her as the seventh-wealthiest woman globally and the 48th richest person overall. Her immense fortune is primarily derived from her 50% ownership of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which she co-founded with her husband, Gianluigi Aponte, in 1970.
The Founding of MSC
The story of MSC began in 1969 when Rafaela met her future husband aboard a ferry travelling from Naples to Capri, where Aponte was the captain. By 1970, the couple had launched MSC with an initial investment of $280,000. In a nod to their burgeoning partnership, Aponte named their second ship “the Rafaela” in her honour.
MSC’s Global Dominance
Under their leadership, MSC has grown into the world’s largest global container shipping company by fleet size and overall capacity, boasting more than 800 vessels, according to Alphaliner. The company’s success is further bolstered by MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line, with Rafaela personally overseeing the design of its cruise ships.
A Low-Key Lifestyle
The Aponte couple is known for their reserved public presence, typically appearing during significant MSC events such as new cruise ship launches. For instance, in 2006, they were seen with French actor Gérard Depardieu for the inauguration of the MSC Musica.
A Legacy in the Making
The Rafaela’s influence extends to their family, with their children, Diego and Alexa, holding key positions within MSC. Diego serves as the company president, while Alexa is the CFO.
As of the latest Forbes rankings, the Aponte-Diamants are jointly valued at $66 billion, surpassing notable figures such as Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in wealth.
