7 South African-born Billionaires Who Are Citizens Of Other Countries

South African-born billionaires, like Elon Musk and Patrick Soon-Shiong, maintain a global influence despite living abroad, reshaping industries worldwide.

Elon Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, showcase how South African roots fuel innovations in transportation, space exploration, and renewable energy.

Figures like Clive Calder and Ivan Glasenberg have bridged Africa with global markets, leaving lasting impacts across music, tech, and business.

Many South African-born billionaires have made their mark far from their homeland, often becoming citizens of their adopted countries and establishing lives that seem distant from South Africa and the broader African continent.

However, their influence is far from fading. Although these individuals may no longer reside in South Africa or operate businesses there, their contributions to both the local and global economies remain undeniable. Their ventures have transformed entire industries, leaving a lasting legacy around the world.

Consider Elon Musk, for example. As the worlds richest person, Musk has reshaped the future of transportation, space exploration, and renewable energy through his companies Tesla and SpaceX. His work, although centered in the U.S., has global implications, including for South Africa, his birthplace. Musks success shows how deeply his South African roots have influenced his drive to change the world.

Then theres Patrick Soon-Shiong, a doctor and biotech entrepreneur whose groundbreaking work in cancer treatment has revolutionized medicine, particularly in the U.S. Despite his international success, Soon-Shiong has never forgotten his South African origins. His philanthropic efforts on the continent are a clear reminder of his enduring connection to his roots, even as his contributions have impacted the world stage.

Music mogul Clive Calder, while perhaps not as widely recognized as others, has made a significant mark by bridging African music with global audiences through his ventures in the U.K. and South Africa. His influence on the digital music industry helped spread African sounds worldwide, leaving a lasting impact far beyond the continent.