The Discreet Wealth Of The Van Der Vorm Family: A Look Into Their Legacy

The Van der Vorm family is one of the richest and most discreet families – they make the Mars family look like amateurs – in their native Netherlands and in the world. This family isn’t as well-known outside of the Netherlands, despite owning companies and brands that are highly recognizable. Currently, they stand to gain up to $4 billion from the sale of their eyewear retailer to EssilorLuxottica SA. The funds from this sale will be channeled into the Hal Trust, a publicly traded fund controlled by the family. Analysts suggest they could invest this money, return it to shareholders, or even become full-time philanthropists.

The Van der Vorms have previously found themselves in similar positions. Their wealth originated from Holland America Line, a major transatlantic shipping firm that was sold to Carnival in the 1980s for approximately $600 million. This money was reinvested through their investment firm Hal Trust, which has seen a staggering return of nearly 2,000% since then. With current assets valued at $12.5 billion, the family’s net worth stands at around $11.2 billion.

The family’s financial maneuvers are often shrouded in secrecy. Hal Trust's structure includes bearer shares, allowing stock owners to maintain their anonymity. Family members and executives are identified in official documents only by their initials. Martijn Van der Vorm, the trust’s executive chairman until five years ago, prefers a private life in Monaco, engaging in sailing rather than attending extravagant parties. His cousin, Carel Ole, is based in London, overseeing an agricultural investment firm.