Who is Vicky Safra?
Vicky Safra is the widow of banker Joseph Safra and one of three controlling shareholders of Banco Safra in Brazil, part of the Safra family’s banking group. Forbes’ real-time list valued her and her family at $24 billion on 10 November 2026, 108th in the world 1. Forbes Brasil names her the richest woman in Brazil 3. She also features among the wealthiest women in the world.
How did Vicky Safra make her money?
She inherited it. Joseph Safra died on 10 December 2020, aged 82, and Forbes Brasil reports that Vicky received about half of his fortune, with the rest going to their four children 13. The group’s three banks are Banco Safra in São Paulo, J. Safra Sarasin in Switzerland and Safra National Bank of New York 15.
Early life
She was born Vicky Sarfati on 1 July 1952 in Thessaloniki, Greece, and married Joseph Safra in 1969. She is a Greek citizen and lives in Switzerland 14. She is known for keeping a low profile 3.
The Safra Group and its structure
Vicky Safra, her son Jacob and her son David hold control. Jacob chairs the J. Safra Sarasin Group and David is a controlling shareholder of Banco Safra 1. Her son Alberto left Banco Safra in 2019 and, after a lawsuit filed in February 2023, the family announced a global settlement in July 2024 in which he gave up his interests in the group. In January 2025 her daughter Esther sold her stake to Jacob and David 1. Read Vicky Safra’s companies.
Philanthropy
She leads the Vicky and Joseph Safra Philanthropic Foundation, which funds health, education and arts projects 3.
Family
She and Joseph Safra had four children: Jacob, Esther, Alberto and David 34. See Vicky Safra’s family.
Vicky Safra net worth
Forbes put Vicky Safra and family at $24 billion in November 2026, about ₹2.3 lakh crore at ₹94 to the dollar, down from $27.1 billion and 94th on its March 2026 list 12. Forbes Brasil measured the family fortune at R$130.6 billion in August 2026 3. See Vicky Safra net worth and our ranking of the top 50 richest people in the world.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Vicky Safra?
The widow of banker Joseph Safra and a controlling shareholder of Banco Safra, who inherited about half of his fortune.
What is Vicky Safra's net worth?
$24 billion with her family on Forbes’ real-time list on 10 November 2026, 108th in the world.