Margarita Louis-Dreyfus serves as the chairperson of the Louis-Dreyfus Group, a position she assumed in 2009. Born in 1962 in Saint Petersburg, she later established her base in Switzerland. Her professional path involves managing multinational interests and navigating the complexities of international trade, while maintaining her role as a prominent figure within global commodity markets.
Early Background and Education
Born Margarita Olegovna Bogdanova in Leningrad, she was raised by her grandfather, who worked as an electrical engineer. Her academic foundation includes the study of law in Moscow and economics in Leningrad. Prior to her involvement with the Louis-Dreyfus Group, she held a professional role at a firm specializing in the sale of circuit-board equipment.
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In 1988, she met Robert Louis-Dreyfus during a flight from Zurich to London. The couple married in 1992. When her husband discovered he was suffering from leukemia in 2007, he began integrating her into the management of the family business. Following his death on 4 July 2009, she became the heiress to the Louis-Dreyfus Group and took over the chairmanship.
Football Club Ownership and Divestment
Beyond commodity trading, she inherited a majority stake in the French football club Olympique de Marseille, an asset her husband had held since 1996. By August 2016, she entered negotiations to divest the club. A deal was finalized with Frank McCourt, and the sale of the team was completed on 17 October 2016 for a reported 45 million euros.
Personal Life and Current Status
A Swiss citizen residing in Zurich, she is a parent to five children. She has three sons with her late husband, including Kyril, who serves as the chairman and majority shareholder of the English Premier League club Sunderland. With her partner, Philipp Hildebrand, the former head of the Swiss central bank, she has twin daughters born in 2016. As of 2026, her net worth is estimated at US$5.8 billion.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Saint Petersburg
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Current Position: Chairperson, Louis-Dreyfus Group
- Education: Law in Moscow, Economics in Leningrad
- Net Worth: US$5.8 billion (2026 estimate)
- Marseille Football Club Sale Date: 17 October 2016
Questions readers ask
What is her primary business role?
She serves as the chairperson of the Louis-Dreyfus Group.
Is she related to the American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus?
Yes, she is the second cousin once removed of Julia Louis-Dreyfus by marriage.
