Nicky Oppenheimer
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Nicholas "Nicky" F. Oppenheimer (born 8 June 1945) is a billionaire South African businessman, the chairman of the De Beers diamond mining company and its subsidiary, the Diamond Trading Company. He also has a large financial interest in the gold mining company Anglo American.
He is the son of Harry Oppenheimer and grandson of Ernest Oppenheimer, the first generation of the family to chair (from 1929) the De Beers diamond mining company in South Africa, founded by Cecil John Rhodes in 1888.
He was educated in England at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford where he read a MA in PPE.
Forbes "World's Richest People" List of billionaires (2005) estimated his net worth at US$6.0 billion in 2005.
In 1968 he married Orcillia "Strilli" Lasch, daughter of industrial tycoon Helli Lasch and Orcillia Lasch, Sen.. His son Jonathan Oppenheimer and nephews Alex Oppenheimer and Taylor Plant are expected to succeed him in the company.
He lives in Johannesburg on the Brenthurst Gardens estate and has a country estate in England, Waltham Place (with gardens open to the public and an associated organic Farm), at White Waltham in Berkshire. As another sign of his luxury, he recently bought an Agusta Westland helicopter.
[edit] Publications
- Luke Over, Nicky Oppenheimer, and Chris Tyrell (Illustrator) - Waltham Place: and its Surrounding Parish (2001) ISBN 0-9541669-0-6