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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Meet Eyal Ofer, the richest person in Israel with a net worth of Rs 2.5 lakh crore - He once served in Israeli Air Force
Eyal Ofer net worth: As tensions between Israel and Iran continue with no resolution in sight, Israel isn't just defending itself with military strength — it's also showcasing power through technology and economic influence. Amid this ongoing conflict, one name stands out as a symbol of Israel's success on the world stage — Eyal Ofer, the richest person in Israel. His incredible journey from a shipping apprentice to a billionaire businessman highlights his role in shaping the modern global economy. Early Life of Eyal Ofer: A Humble Beginning Born in Haifa, Israel, in 1950, Eyal Ofer was raised in a family deeply rooted in the shipping industry. His father, Sammy Ofer, a Romanian-born Israeli tycoon, was once the wealthiest man in Israel. Eyal was exposed to hard work from a young age — he spent his summers on cargo ships, loading goods, scraping paint, and travelling to international ports. This early hands-on experience laid the foundation for his future business empire. Eyal Ofer's education Ofer completed his schooling at Atlantic College in Wales, a member of the United World Colleges network. Later, he studied Maritime Law at the University of London, further sharpening his knowledge of international trade and shipping. Eyal Ofer's Military Background and Education Before venturing into business, Eyal Ofer served as an intelligence officer in the Israeli Air Force from 1967 to 1973. His discipline and strategic mindset, developed during his military service, would later prove useful in navigating the complex world of global business. Personal Life: A Glimpse into Eyal Ofer's Family and Lifestyle Eyal Ofer is married to Marilyn Ofer, and the couple has four children. They currently live in Monte Carlo, Monaco, though they previously resided in London and also own a home in Herzliya Pituah near Tel Aviv. Eyal also owns a luxurious apartment in 15 Central Park West, one of Manhattan's most exclusive addresses, which he developed himself. His personal life reflects his global lifestyle and refined taste. Eyal Ofer's Net Worth: How rich is he? As of June 21, according to Forbes, Eyal Ofer's net worth is estimated at $30.3 billion, or around Rs 2.5 lakh crore. This makes him the 60th richest person in the world and the wealthiest in Israel. His fortune is far ahead of many other billionaires worldwide, solidifying his position as a financial powerhouse. Career and Business Journey of Eyal Ofer Real Estate Empire In the 1980s, Eyal Ofer moved to New York City to begin expanding his family's real estate ventures. Through Global Holdings, he built a property empire with investments across Manhattan, London, and Europe. His residential projects include some of the world's most expensive and iconic buildings like 15 Central Park West, 520 Park Avenue, and 50 United Nations Plaza. Global Holdings owns more than 120 properties and over 1,500 hotel rooms, and Eyal serves as its chairman. The company also holds a major stake in Miller Global Properties, focusing on commercial and residential developments. Shipping and Maritime Business Eyal Ofer is the chairman of the Zodiac Group, one of the largest private shipping companies in the world, operating over 180 vessels. It is the biggest operator of ships under the Red Ensign flag. He also served as a board director at Royal Caribbean Cruises, where he holds a significant stake. His impact on the shipping industry is widely recognised. Lloyd's List has consistently ranked him among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping, even placing him in the Top 10 multiple times. Energy Ventures Through O.G. Energy, Eyal Ofer has stepped into the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy and green hydrogen. In 2022, he invested in Tree Energy Solutions (TES), a Belgium-based green hydrogen company. He also owns O.G. Oil & Gas, with exploration rights in Southeast Asia and Australasia, and holds a 70% stake in New Zealand Oil & Gas. Investments in Technology Eyal Ofer is also deeply invested in technology through O.G. Venture Partners, a venture capital fund that supports early-growth tech start-ups. Its Fund I launched in 2017 with $150 million, and Fund II in 2022 with $400 million. Notably, in 2024, Ofer-backed gaming start-up SuperPlay was acquired by Playtika for up to $1.95 billion, one of the largest deals in the mobile gaming space. Awards and Global Influence Eyal Ofer's influence goes beyond business. In 2014, he received an honorary lifetime membership of the Baltic Exchange in London for his contribution to global shipping. Past recipients include Winston Churchill and the Duke of Edinburgh. He is also a regular speaker at global forums such as the Milken Institute and the World Economic Forum in Davos. In 2018, he joined the Advisory Board of Bloomberg New Economy Forum, aligning himself with global leaders in business and policy. Eyal Ofer's story is one of vision, hard work, and smart investments across shipping, real estate, energy, and technology. From his early life as a deckhand to becoming a billionaire mogul, his journey is truly inspiring. With a net worth of Rs 2.5 lakh crore, Eyal Ofer not only dominates Israel's financial world but also leaves a strong mark on the global stage. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
Winnipeg Free Press
26-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
A timeline of King Charles's royal visits to Canada, spanning more than 50 years
MONTREAL – This week's Royal visit marks King Charles's first visit to Canada since his coronation two years ago. But the King is no stranger to the country, having visited all provinces and territories during official visits dating back more than 50 years. Here's a timeline of those visits. 1970 Charles, then Prince of Wales, lands in Canada on July 3 for his first official visit to Canada. The 21-year-old begins with a solo two-day visit of Ottawa before joining the queen and other members of his family for a 10-day trip to Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. 1975 Charles makes an 11-day visit to Canada that includes stints in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories. Shortly after the official visit, he spends more than a month in Canadian waters onboard the HMS Hermes, as a navy helicopter pilot. 1976 Charles, along with his parents and brothers, make a quick visit to the Montreal Olympics where his sister, Princess Anne, was competing in equestrian three-day eventing. 1977 This Alberta visit saw Charles don a cowboy hat to attend the Calgary stampede. He also attended a commemoration of the signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing. 1979 This solo April visit included stops in Victoria, Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa. 1980 This visit, described as 'semi-official,' included stops in Ottawa, Vancouver and Victoria, and included meetings held in his capacity as president of United World Colleges. 1983 This trip marked the first official visit of Charles and his wife Diana, Princess of Wales. The visit, stretching a full 18 days, included stops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI and Alberta, where they opened the World University Games in Edmonton. 1986 Charles and Diana visit in April and May for a trip to British Columbia, where they spent time in Victoria, Prince George, Kamloops and Nanaimo, and opened the Expo 86 world fair in Vancouver. 1991 This trip marked the first official visits to Canada by Prince William and Prince Harry, who joined their parents for a weeklong trip to Ontario with stops in five cities. 1996 Charles, who was now separated from Diana, made a solo trip to Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba for a seven-day visit. 1998 On this visit, Charles was joined in British Columbia by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, which combined official engagements in Vancouver with a private Whistler ski trip. 2001 This visit by the Prince of Wales included a visit to Yukon, where he met Junior Canadian Rangers and Indigenous elders. Other stops included Ottawa and several communities in Saskatchewan. 2009 The November visit marked the first official visit to Canada by Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall. The couple visited Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, where they were met by protesters. The visit included a stop at the Winter Olympics village in Vancouver and a backstage tour of Cirque du Soleil headquarters in Montreal. 2012 This four-day trip centred around the queen's Diamond Jubilee and saw Charles and Camilla stop in several New Brunswick communities as well and Toronto and Regina for a visit that 'highlighted service as both an enduring royal value of Her Majesty and the Royal Family as well as an intrinsic Canadian value,' according to the official itinerary. 2014 The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall toured parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. The itinerary included Victoria Day celebrations in Charlottetown, speaking with military veterans in Nova Scotia, and meeting Hudson the polar bear in Winnipeg. 2017 The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall marked the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation with a visit that kicked off in Iqaluit, Nunavut, before taking them to Ontario's Prince Edward County and culminating with Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. 2022 The most recent royal tour took place in May 2022, during which the soon-to-be-King and Queen visited St. John's, N.L; Ottawa; and Yellowknife and Dettah, N.W.T. The tour, undertaken to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, focused on themes of Indigenous reconciliation and the environment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
Saudi Gazette
08-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Billionaire on trial in Azerbaijan who risks being left behind by peace deal
BAKU — Ruben Vardanyan is one of Armenia's richest men, but his millions are of little use now that he is facing a possible life term in jail in neighboring Azerbaijan. The two neighboring Caucasus countries have agreed the text of a historic peace deal to end decades-long conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, but Vardanyan and 15 other former ethnic Armenian leaders are not part of the agreement. They are on trial in a military court in Baku, accused of war crimes dating back decades. Vardanyan, a 56-year-old Russian-Armenian entrepreneur, is facing 42 charges including planning and waging war, mercenary activities and terrorism. A picture of him in court appeared to show bruises on his forehead and there have been allegations of torture, denied by Azerbaijan which insists his rights have been respected in custody. It marks a dramatic downfall for a man who made his fortune in Russia and once rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as George and Amal Clooney. He set up Russia's first investment bank back in the early 1990s, and as founder of the country's prestigious business management school "Skolkovo" he enjoyed the reputation of a progressive visionary, a Western-friendly voice in Russia's business community in the 2000's. But a 2019 investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project said that employees of his investment bank built a financial system laundering billions of dollars in the mid-2000s. Vardanyan denied being aware of any criminal activities, and was never legally charged. He spent hundreds of millions of dollars on philanthropic projects in Armenia, and transformed a quiet town in the snow-capped mountains in the north of the country, setting up a school with the aim of attracting students from all over the world. "This school was imagined as an institution that would bring Armenia to the world and the world to Armenia," says Adam Armanski, the principal of the United World Colleges (UWC) of Dilijan. Everything changed for Ruben Vardanyan in September 2022 when he decided to move to Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region that was historically populated by ethnic Armenians but part of Soviet Azerbaijan. Armenia and Azerbaijan had already fought two full-scale wars over the region, which was internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The first Karabakh war in the 1990s resulted in the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris. Then, in 2020, Azerbaijan — backed by Turkey — regained control of big swathes of the lost territory, while the Karabakh enclave remained in the hands of ethnic Armenian separatists. Within months of Vardanyan's arrival Azerbaijani authorities blocked the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the Republic of Armenia, subjecting the region's population to severe food shortages. Vardanyan renounced his Russian citizenship and became the de facto prime-minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh. He used his name, contacts and the ability to speak fluent English to raise the awareness of the plight of Karabakh Armenians. "My father did more interviews with international media in three months than all the other Nagorno-Karabakh presidents in 30 years. The amount of attention this was receiving from the Western media clearly irritated Azerbaijan," his son David Vardanyan told the BBC. There had been speculation that Vardanyan had moved there to avoid international sanctions imposed on Russia's billionaires with links to the Kremlin. The government in Baku considered his decision to take up the position as illegal. His son insists he was driven by the desire to help local Armenians. "We had an argument on our last family holiday, I was completely against his decision, which was putting the entire family at risk. He said he would not be able to live with himself knowing he did nothing for the Armenians of Karabakh." His father's long-term friend Arman Jilavian said even the remotest of chances of helping ethnic Armenians remain in their ancestral land was enough for him. "Some would say this was irrational, some say this was super calculated political move. I think none is true," he says. In September 2023 Azerbaijan launched a military operation and took control of the entire territory in 24 hours. Nagorno-Karabakh's leaders capitulated and more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to leave their homes. Vardanyan was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities as he joined a mass exodus to Armenia. Much of his time since has been spent in solitary confinement, his family says. He has already been on hunger strike twice, protesting at what he has called a lack of proper judicial process, amid allegations of torture. Fifteen other former Karabakh leaders are also being tried in Baku's military court for alleged war crimes committed since the late 1980s. Vardanyan has been dealt with separately, but many in Armenia see all the cases as show trials. Only the main Azerbaijani state TV channel has been allowed to film the trials. Azerbaijan insists it is complying with international legal standards, and that it has a responsibility to hold to account those suspected of having committed war crimes. But last month, the government in Baku ordered the closure of the local offices of the International Red Cross, the only international organisation with access to Armenian prisoners. The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the "unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages", calling for their immediate release. Vardanyan returns to court on Tuesday, but supporters fear his case will be overshadowed by a historic peace deal taking shape between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The details are yet to be made public but officials say the draft text does not include the issue of the prisoners on trial or the right of ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to return to their homes. The failure to mention the prisoners has prompted criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government at home and abroad. But Arsen Torosyan, the MP from the Armenian governing party Civil Contract believes this issue needs to be solved separately. "It is a peace treaty between the conflicting countries with a long history of hatred between each other. I personally think that only completing or signing of this peace treaty can make ground to solve the issue of political prisoners. I don't see any other way to do it." Vardanyan has warned this is a mistake. "This is not the trial of just me and 15 others – this is the trial of all Armenians," he said in a voice message to supporters. "If you don't understand this – it is a big tragedy because this is not the end of the story, not the end of the conflict, it's only the next stage of the conflict, for all sides." — BBC
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Billionaire on trial in Azerbaijan who risks being left behind by peace deal
Ruben Vardanyan is one of Armenia's richest men, but his millions are of little use now that he is facing a possible life term in jail in neighbouring Azerbaijan. The two neighbouring Caucasus countries have agreed the text of a historic peace deal to end decades long conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, but Vardanyan and 15 other former ethnic Armenian leaders are not part of the agreement. They are on trial in a military court in Baku, accused of war crimes dating back decades. Vardanyan, a 56-year-old Russian-Armenian entrepreneur, is facing 42 charges including planning and waging war, mercenary activities and terrorism. A picture of him in court appeared to show bruises on his forehead and there have been allegations of torture, denied by Azerbaijan which insists his rights have been respected in custody. It marks a dramatic downfall for a man who made his fortune in Russia and once rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as George and Amal Clooney. He set up Russia's first investment bank back in the early 1990s, and as founder of the country's prestigious business management school "Skolkovo" he enjoyed the reputation of a progressive visionary, a Western-friendly voice in Russia's business community in the 2000's. But a 2019 investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project said that employees of his investment bank built a financial system laundering billions of dollars in the mid-2000s. Vardanyan denied being aware of any criminal activities, and was never legally charged. He spent hundreds of millions of dollars on philanthropic projects in Armenia, and transformed a quiet town in the snow-capped mountains in the north of the country, setting up a school with the aim of attracting students from all over the world. "This school was imagined as an institution that would bring Armenia to the world and the world to Armenia," says Adam Armanski, the principal of the United World Colleges (UWC) of Dilijan. Everything changed for Ruben Vardanyan in September 2022 when he decided to move to Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region that was historically populated by ethnic Armenians but part of Soviet Azerbaijan. Armenia and Azerbaijan had already fought two full scale wars over the region, which was internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. The first Karabakh war in the 1990s resulted in the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris. Then, in 2020, Azerbaijan - backed by Turkey - regained control of big swathes of the lost territory, while the Karabakh enclave remained in the hands of ethnic Armenian separatists. Within months of Vardanyan's arrival Azerbaijani authorities blocked the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the Republic of Armenia, subjecting the region's population to severe food shortages. Vardanyan renounced his Russian citizenship and became the de facto prime-minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh. He used his name, contacts and the ability to speak fluent English to raise the awareness of the plight of Karabakh Armenians. "My father did more interviews with international media in three months than all the other Nagorno-Karabakh presidents in 30 years. The amount of attention this was receiving from the Western media clearly irritated Azerbaijan," his son David Vardanyan told the BBC. There had been speculation that Vardanyan had moved there to avoid international sanctions imposed on Russia's billionaires with links to the Kremlin. The government in Baku considered his decision to take up the position as illegal. His son insists he was driven by the desire to help local Armenians. "We had an argument on our last family holiday, I was completely against his decision, which was putting the entire family at risk. He said he would not be able to live with himself knowing he did nothing for the Armenians of Karabakh." His father's long-term friend Arman Jilavian said even the remotest of chances of helping ethnic Armenians remain in their ancestral land was enough for him. "Some would say this was irrational, some say this was super calculated political move. I think none is true," he says. In September 2023 Azerbaijan launched a military operation and took control of the entire territory in 24 hours. Nagorno-Karabakh's leaders capitulated and more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to leave their homes. Vardanyan was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities as he joined a mass exodus to Armenia. Azerbaijan arrests former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Armenians fear another war despite talk of peace Much of his time since has been spent in solitary confinement, his family says. He has already been on hunger strike twice, protesting at what he has called a lack of proper judicial process, amid allegations of torture. Fifteen other former Karabakh leaders are also being tried in Baku's military court for alleged war crimes committed since the late 1980s. Vardanyan has been dealt with separately, but many in Armenia see all the cases as show trials. Only the main Azerbaijani state TV channel has been allowed to film the trials. Azerbaijan insists it is complying with international legal standards, and that it has a responsibility to hold to account those suspected of having committed war crimes. But last month, the government in Baku ordered the closure of the local offices of the International Red Cross, the only international organisation with access to Armenian prisoners. The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the "unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages", calling for their immediate release. Vardanyan returns to court on Tuesday, but supporters fear his case will be overshadowed by a historic peace deal taking shape between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The details are yet to be made public but officials say the draft text does not include the issue of the prisoners on trial or the right of ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to return to their homes. The failure to mention the prisoners has prompted criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government at home and abroad. But Arsen Torosyan, the MP from the Armenian governing party Civil Contract believes this issue needs to be solved separately. "It is a peace treaty between the conflicting countries with a long history of hatred between each other. I personally think that only completing or signing of this peace treaty can make ground to solve the issue of political prisoners. I don't see any other way to do it." Vardanyan has warned this is a mistake. "This is not the trial of just me and 15 others – this is the trial of all Armenians," he said in a voice message to supporters. "If you don't understand this – it is a big tragedy because this is not the end of the story, not the end of the conflict, it's only the next stage of the conflict, for all sides."
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Billionaire on trial in Azerbaijan who risks being left behind peace deal
Ruben Vardanyan is one of Armenia's richest men, but his millions are of little use now that he is facing a possible life term in jail in neighbouring two neighbouring Caucasus countries have agreed the text of a historic peace deal to end decades long conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, but Vardanyan and 15 other former ethnic Armenian leaders are not part of the are on trial in a military court in Baku, accused of war crimes dating back a 56-year-old Russian-Armenian entrepreneur, is facing 42 charges including planning and waging war, mercenary activities and terrorism. A picture of him in court appeared to show bruises on his forehead and there have been allegations of torture, denied by Azerbaijan which insists his rights have been respected in marks a dramatic downfall for a man who made his fortune in Russia and once rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as George and Amal set up Russia's first investment bank back in the early 1990s, and as founder of the country's prestigious business management school "Skolkovo" he enjoyed the reputation of a progressive visionary, a Western-friendly voice in Russia's business community in the 2000' a 2019 investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project said that employees of his investment bank built a financial system laundering billions of dollars in the denied being aware of any criminal activities, and was never legally spent hundreds of millions of dollars on philanthropic projects in Armenia, and transformed a quiet town in the snow-capped mountains in the north of the country, setting up a school with the aim of attracting students from all over the world."This school was imagined as an institution that would bring Armenia to the world and the world to Armenia," says Adam Armanski, the principal of the United World Colleges (UWC) of Dilijan. Everything changed for Ruben Vardanyan in September 2022 when he decided to move to Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region that was historically populated by ethnic Armenians but part of Soviet and Azerbaijan had already fought two full scale wars over the region, which was internationally recognised as part of first Karabakh war in the 1990s resulted in the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of ethnic in 2020, Azerbaijan - backed by Turkey - regained control of big swathes of the lost territory, while the Karabakh enclave remained in the hands of ethnic Armenian months of Vardanyan's arrival Azerbaijani authorities blocked the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the Republic of Armenia, subjecting the region's population to severe food renounced his Russian citizenship and became the de facto prime-minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh. He used his name, contacts and the ability to speak fluent English to raise the awareness of the plight of Karabakh Armenians."My father did more interviews with international media in three months than all the other Nagorno-Karabakh presidents in 30 years. The amount of attention this was receiving from the Western media clearly irritated Azerbaijan," his son David Vardanyan told the had been speculation that Vardanyan had moved there to avoid international sanctions imposed on Russia's billionaires with links to the government in Baku considered his decision to take up the position as son insists he was driven by the desire to help local Armenians."We had an argument on our last family holiday, I was completely against his decision, which was putting the entire family at risk. He said he would not be able to live with himself knowing he did nothing for the Armenians of Karabakh." His father's long-term friend Arman Jilavian said even the remotest of chances of helping ethnic Armenians remain in their ancestral land was enough for him."Some would say this was irrational, some say this was super calculated political move. I think none is true," he September 2023 Azerbaijan launched a military operation and took control of the entire territory in 24 leaders capitulated and more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to leave their was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities as he joined a mass exodus to Armenia. Much of his time since has been spent in solitary confinement, his family has already been on hunger strike twice, protesting at what he has called a lack of proper judicial process, amid allegations of other former Karabakh leaders are also being tried in Baku's military court for alleged war crimes committed since the late has been dealt with separately, but many in Armenia see all the cases as show the main Azerbaijani state TV channel has been allowed to film the insists it is complying with international legal standards, and that it has a responsibility to hold to account those suspected of having committed war last month, the government in Baku ordered the closure of the local offices of the International Red Cross, the only international organisation with access to Armenian European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the "unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages", calling for their immediate returns to court on Tuesday, but supporters fear his case will be overshadowed by a historic peace deal taking shape between Armenia and details are yet to be made public but officials say the draft text does not include the issue of the prisoners on trial or the right of ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to return to their failure to mention the prisoners has prompted criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government at home and Arsen Torosyan, the MP from the Armenian governing party Civil Contract believes this issue needs to be solved separately."It is a peace treaty between the conflicting countries with a long history of hatred between each other. I personally think that only completing or signing of this peace treaty can make ground to solve the issue of political prisoners. I don't see any other way to do it."Vardanyan has warned this is a mistake."This is not the trial of just me and 15 others – this is the trial of all Armenians," he said in a voice message to supporters. "If you don't understand this – it is a big tragedy because this is not the end of the story, not the end of the conflict, it's only the next stage of the conflict, for all sides."
