Early Life
Vicky Safra, born Vicky Sarfati in Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 1, 1952, emigrated to Brazil with her family in the 1950s. She met Joseph Safra in Brazil and married him in 1969 at the age of 17.
Rise to Success
Vicky Safra's journey to becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world is closely tied to the legacy of her late husband, Joseph Safra. After Joseph Safra's death in December 2020, she and her children inherited his vast fortune. Vicky has since taken a central role in managing and preserving the Safra family's financial empire.
Key Business Strategies
Vicky Safra oversees a global banking giant with activities in various sectors, primarily banking. Under her guidance, her sons Jacob and David seek to continue and expand the empire. J. Safra Sarasin has acquired Bank of Montreal's private banking businesses in Hong Kong and Singapore. Banco Safra has taken over Credit Agricole's private banking and asset management operations in Brazil. The Safra Group is known for its conservative financial practices, favoring low-risk, long-term investments. The family also has a $2.3 billion property portfolio, including the Gherkin skyscraper in London and the 660 Madison Avenue building in Manhattan.
Philanthropy
Vicky Safra is deeply involved in philanthropic endeavors, most notably through the Vicky and Joseph Safra Philanthropic Foundation. The foundation supports various causes, including education, healthcare, cultural institutions, and religious initiatives worldwide.