Monaco, a hub of great wealth: two residents among Forbes’ 2026 billionaires
Despite its small size, the Principality of Monaco continues to stand out globally for its high concentration of wealth. In the 2026 edition of the Forbes billionaire ranking, which lists more than 2,600 individuals worldwide, two Monaco residents are featured—highlighting the unique role of the microstate in the global wealth landscape.
With fewer than 40,000 inhabitants, Monaco manages to place two names among the world’s richest, with a combined fortune exceeding $10 billion.
Among them is Stefano Pessina, a leading figure in the international pharmaceutical industry. At 84 years old, he ranks 664th worldwide with an estimated net worth of $6.31 billion. As the head of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Pessina has built a global empire through decades of mergers and acquisitions. Despite recent market challenges and a decline in the company’s stock value, he remains the wealthiest resident in Monaco, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Alongside him is David Nahmad, a major figure in the international art market. Born in Beirut in 1947, he has an estimated fortune of $4 billion. He is renowned for his extraordinary private collection, which includes over 300 works by Pablo Picasso, along with thousands of other masterpieces stored in a secure freeport facility near Geneva. Widely regarded as one of the most influential dealers in modern and Impressionist art, Nahmad has received major cultural honors and regularly lends works to prestigious institutions such as the Louvre Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The presence of these two figures in the global ranking once again underscores Monaco’s appeal to top entrepreneurs and investors, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most wealth-dense locations.
