World’s Richest Croat Worth 24 Billion Euros

Ivan Žilić, who is believed to be the richest Croat ever, anywhere in the world, has revealed to Croatian daily Jutarnji list that he is worth 24 billion euros, and that he is interested in investing in Croatia and the region…

The relatively unknown Žilić (65) is not only the wealthiest Croat, but he also happens to be one of the richest men in the world. Žilić was born in Vareš, a town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now resides in Luxembourg, where according to World Magazine, he paid more than 1.7 billion euros in taxes earlier this year. So how did Žilić make his fortune?

It all begun in 1998 in Germany when the Bosnian Croat was as an employee of the U.S. car giant Ford. Žilić, who was an engineer, discovered the revolutionary invention of mounting brackets for technical circuits, an invention that saved Ford tens of billions of euros, as 12 holders are placed in every car manufactured. Žilić, who was the owner of the patent, had to fight Ford in court to start receiving monies for his invention.  After a long battle Žilić prevailed, and still today reaps the rewards from his patent which has made him one of the world’s richest men. The Ford plant in Cologne produces more than 400,000 cars a year. Ford has another 4 plants also in Europe producing cars. Also in Europe there are two Volvo companies, and other car factories that use his patent.

Žilić says that he has had no shortage of potential business proposals since appearing in the Croatian media last week, and admits that he is keen to invest in the country and the region.