Livia Voigt has claimed a title few could dream of: the youngest female billionaire in the world. Yet, beyond the headlines and the staggering net worth lies a story wrapped in legacy, discretion, and quiet influence.
She’s not a tech mogul or media sensation. In fact, most people wouldn’t recognize her if she passed them on the street. But make no mistake, her fortune, tied to Brazil’s industrial powerhouse WEG, speaks volumes.
How did a soft-spoken psychology student become one of the world’s wealthiest women before her 21st birthday? And what does her rise say about attaining global wealth, family empires, and the new generation of billionaires?
Let’s pull back the velvet curtain on Livia’s world and the dynasty that built it.
Who Is Livia Voigt?
Livia Voigt, born in 2004, is a Brazilian heiress and currently the youngest female billionaire in the world at just 20 years old. She was born into one of Brazil’s most prominent industrial families, the Voigts, best known for co-founding WEG Industries, a global leader in electric motors, automation, and energy solutions.
Livia is the granddaughter of Werner Ricardo Voigt, one of WEG’s original founders. Her father, Décio da Silva, served as chairman of WEG’s board and played a central role in expanding the company’s international footprint. Through family holdings, Livia inherited a sizable stake in the publicly traded company, giving her a net worth exceeding $1.2 billion.
Despite her immense fortune, Livia leads an intentionally private life. She is reportedly pursuing a degree in psychology and avoids public appearances and social media. Unlike many of her billionaire peers, she doesn’t court attention. She quietly holds power, wealth, and lineage without making headlines.
The Inheritance
Livia Voigt’s billionaire status isn’t built on startups or celebrity, it’s built on industrial legacy. Her wealth is directly tied to WEG S.A., one of Latin America’s largest manufacturers of electrical equipment. The company was co-founded by her grandfather, Werner Ricardo Voigt, along with Eggon João da Silva and Geraldo Werninghaus. The name WEG itself is an acronym of their initials.
WEG produces everything from electric motors and generators to automation systems and renewable energy technology. WEG is traded publicly on the B3 stock exchange, and its consistent performance has made it a staple in Brazil’s industrial economy.
Livia inherited her fortune through family-controlled shares, primarily held via Kinea Investimentos and holding companies that maintain influence over WEG’s direction. Her stake is estimated to be around three percent, a relatively modest slice of the pie that still equates to more than $1.2 billion due to WEG’s multibillion-dollar valuation. This is old money, strategically grown.
About WEG: The Industrial Giant Powering Livia Voigt’s Fortune
WEG S.A. is a company that has evolved from a small Brazilian motor manufacturer to a global leader in industrial automation and renewable energy solutions. Headquartered in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, it’s one of the top players in the electrical equipment sector, and its products now power industries around the globe, from renewable energy projects to automated manufacturing systems.
In recent years, WEG has positioned itself as a key player in green technology, developing energy-efficient products and expanding its presence in solar power and wind energy sectors. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has driven its impressive growth, even as it navigates the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry. WEG’s market value has climbed steadily, solidifying its place among the largest companies in Latin America.
Here are interesting key facts about WEG:
Company Name WEG S.A. Founded 1961 (Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil) Founders Werner Ricardo Voigt, Eggon João da Silva, Geraldo Werninghaus CEO Carlos Alvarenga Chairman Décio da Silva (Livia’s father) Industry Electrical Equipment & Automation Specialization Electric Motors, Automation, Renewable Energy Global Presence 135+ countries Employees 30,000+ Market Cap $40 billion+ (approx.) Publicly Traded Yes (B3 Stock Exchange Livia Voigt’s Stake ~3% (valued at $1.2 billion+)
Challenges of a Billionaire Heiress: Dealing with Legacy and Expectations
Inheriting a billion-dollar empire comes with its perks, but for Livia Voigt, the challenges are unique. Here are some challenges she may face as a billionaire heiress;
- The weight of being an heiress: The most significant is the weight of legacy. Unlike self-made billionaires, Livia isn’t forging a path from the ground up. She’s stepping into a legacy built by her grandfather and father. The expectations to preserve and grow WEG are enormous.
- Public perception: Livia’s private lifestyle often fuels curiosity. Some may wonder: How much of her wealth is truly hers? Is she driving WEG’s success, or is she simply riding on the coattails of her family’s accomplishments? These questions hang over her, even as she tries to remain in the background.
- Growing the wealth: With her 3% stake, Livia is more of a shareholder than a decision-maker, but the expectations to maintain and grow the family fortune are high. There’s pressure to preserve the legacy that her grandfather and father built, even as the world changes. Will she take on a more active role in the future? That remains to be seen.
Livia’s path may seem paved in gold, but it’s far from effortless. She carries the legacy of an empire, and that’s no small task.
Final Thoughts
At just 20, Livia Voigt has already inherited a legacy few could imagine, stepping into the world of billionaires with grace and discretion. While much of her life remains private, her potential as a young leader in a family-run empire holds a quiet power that’s hard to ignore.
Her journey with WEG is only beginning, and the future holds endless possibilities for this youngest female billionaire. As Livia navigates her new role, she joins a growing community of young women and billionaires who are shaping the world in unique and inspiring ways.
We invite you to explore more stories of female business leaders and entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers and defining new standards of success. Keep an eye on these rising stars as their careers and legacies continue to unfold, and who knows what exciting developments the next chapter will bring.