Forbes has published its 2025 list of the richest Poles, presenting notable changes and the unprecedented fact of having only billionaires featured for the first time. This year, the collective wealth of the top 100 individuals reached nearly 315 billion zloty, reflecting an 11% increase compared to the previous year. The incredible rise of wealth among Polish entrepreneurs demonstrates the dynamic growth of the nation’s businesses.
Leading the list once again is Michał Sołowow, whose fortune is estimated at 28.11 billion zloty, up from 27.25 billion last year. Sołowow's wealth stems from various industries including synthetic rubber production and energy investments, underscoring his prominent role as a key player in Poland's economic arena. He continues to expand his ventures, particularly focusing on renewable energy sources, including significant investments in nuclear power.
Coming in at number two is Jerzy Starak, with a wealth of 24.87 billion zloty, reflecting an impressive growth rate of 27.7% over the past year. Starak is recognized for his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry through Polpharma, which has experienced significant profitability increases. Notably, Polpharma Biologics, specializing in biopharmaceutical production, is considered one of Starak’s most promising assets.
Rounding out the top three is Tomasz Biernacki, the founder of the Dino supermarket chain, whose fortune is pegged at 22.28 billion zloty. This reflects a 5.7% decline from the previous year. Despite the holiday shopping rush and efforts to boost stock value, Biernacki's assets fell, marking the first time his fortune has shrunk on the annual Forbes list.
The list showcases the first group of billionaires within Poland since its inception, with the previous year's tally at only 92. This clear upward trend signals the growing strength and resilience of the Polish economy, as numerous sectors are outperforming the national average. The growth has substantial implications for investment and economic stability.
The fourth to sixth positions are occupied by Sebastian Kulczyk, Zygmunt Solorz, and Dominika Kulczyk, valued at 9.38 billion, 8.41 billion, and 7.87 billion zloty respectively. Kulczyk remains steady, displaying no change from last year, whereas Solorz benefitted from improved operational results, with his wealth growing by nearly 9%. Dominika Kulczyk, the only woman featured, saw her wealth shrink slightly, reflecting challenges within her investments.
Investors and analysts are particularly excited about Dariusz Miłek, who has remarkably increased his wealth by 107% to 6.18 billion zloty, propelled by the strategic success of HalfPrice, his off-price retail chain. Having successfully repositioned his company, Miłek's rise highlights the potential for growth and innovation within the individual sectors.
Among the wealthiest individuals, new entries and re-entries include various prominent figures investing heavily across multiple markets, driven by Poland's prosperous environment. For example, the Juroszek family, controlling the Terg Group and Media Expert, holds 7.63 billion zloty, reflecting their solid foundations stemming from real estate and retail advancements.
The comprehensive report by Forbes suggests, "For the first time in the 20-year history, the list is composed entirely of billionaires, marking remarkable economic advancements and prosperity across various sectors, including retail, pharmaceuticals, and technology." This growth narrative, marked by dynamic corporate strategies and advances, pivots on individual tenacity and innovation.
This year's comprehensive list provides insights not only on personal fortunes but also illuminates broader trends within the Polish economy, including the substantial rise of startups and technological enterprises aligning with global market trends. While the current situation denotes progress, it remains clear there are several layers within this growing millionaire class, some experiencing burgeoning success whilst others face significant challenges.