We all know that Canada has money! Canada is a wealthy country with a highly developed mixed economy. Canada has the 9th largest economy as of 2024. Also, the nominal GDP of the country is US$2.117 trillion. This wealthy country, Canada, has around 39 billionaires.
Some of these billionaires are far beyond the typical retirement age. However, they continue to work. Here are 6 oldest billionaires in Canada.
6 Oldest Billionaire in Canada
6. Emanuele (Lino) Saputo
Age: 86 years old
Billionaire Rank (Global): 734
Net Worth: $4.3 billion
Photo Source: Montreal QC
Emanuele Lino Saputo is the cheese mogul of Canada. He started the Saputo in Montreal in 1954 with his parents Giuseppe and Maria. Emanuele Lino Sputo succeeded the U.S. and Canadian dairy industry in the 1980s. This was when Pizza’s growing popularity increased demand for its products.
Emanuele Lino Saputo still serves as chairman, while his son, Lino Jr., is the chief. Emanuele Lino Saputo also has a private investment company, Jolina Capital. Hence, he owns 80% of the 47-story Place Victoria, home of the Montreal Stock Exchange.
Did you know?
Emanuele Lino Saputo was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2011 and appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2012.
5. Robert Miller
Age: 90
Billionaire Rank (Global): 1647
Net Worth: $1.8 Billion
Photo Source: Peoples.ru
Robert Miller was born in Montreal, Quebec in July 1943 and is a graduate of Rider University. He established Future Electronics in 1968 and grew it into the third-largest electronics distributor in the world. He stepped down as the company’s president and CEO in 2023. This was right after facing allegations that he set up a system of paying young girls for sexual contact.
Miller is a supporter of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation and plans to be cryopreserved himself after death. In 1984, Miller acquired his Westmount home in Montreal from Seagram’s Charles Bronfman. It was then the second most expensive residential sale in Canada.
Did you know?
In 1999, Future Electronics was raided by the FBI and RCMP as part of a fraud investigation, but no charges were ultimately brought.
4. Charles Bronfman
Age: 92 years old
Billionaire Rank (Global): 1330
Net Worth: $2.5 billion
Photo Source: Cloudfront
Charles Bronfman, along with his brother, Edgar Sr., inherited the Seagram spirits empire that was built up by their father, Sam, and sold it to Vivendi in 2000. Recently, he has been focusing on Jewish charities, helping to found Birthright Israel, which sends Jewish youths from North America on educational tours of Israel.
Charles Bronfman underwrites the New York Jewish Music & Heritage Festival through his foundation. He also started the Andy Prize in memory of his late wife, Andrea.
Did you know?
Charles Bronfman was a majority owner of the Montreal Expos baseball team from 1968 to 1991.
3. Jim Pattison
Age: 95 years old
Billionaire Rank (Global): 263
Net Worth: $9.1 billion
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Jim Pattison is a billionaire businessman and investor based in Vancouver, Canada. He is the founder and sole owner of the Jim Pattison Group, Canada’s 2nd largest private company. Jim Pattison started his career washing cars at a gas station, then became a successful used car salesman.
Jim Pattison developed his business into an advertising, fishing, and supermarket empire. He is presently increasing stakes in Canadian small caps. Some of these include Westshore Terminals Income Fund, Canfor, and Sun-Rype Products.
Jim Pattison also owns Ripley’s Believe It or Not and a huge Palm Springs lair that used to be Frank Sinatra’s. At age 95, Pattison Jim still goes to the office daily, including weekends.
Did you know?
Jim Pattison bought the Guinness World Records franchise in 2008.
2. Jean Coutu
Age: 96
Billionaire Rank (Global): 991
Net Worth: $3.2 Billion
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Jean Coutu established the Jean Coutu Group drugstore chain in 1969. He grew the company through acquisitions to become one of North America’s largest pharmacy chains. Later, he sold the publicly traded company to Metro Inc. for $4.5 billion in 2017 at age 90.
Jean Coutu is married with 5 children and has dual Canadian citizenship. He founded the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation for charitable causes.
Did you know?
Jean Coutu was awarded the Order of Canada in 1993 and the National Order of Quebec, two of Canada’s highest civilian honors, in recognition of his business and philanthropic achievements.
1. Stephen Jarislowsky
Age: 98 years old
Billionaire Rank (Global): 2046
Net Worth: $1.5 billion
Photo Source: Trentu
Stephen Jarislowsky was born in Berlin. He moved to Canada in 1949 after receiving his MBA at Harvard. He then established Jarislowsky Fraser, a global asset management company. Today, the company manages $50 billion (CND $59.3 billion) for institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals.
Stephen Jarislowsky is also an outspoken critic of excessive executive pay. He also owns a private island in British Columbia with 16 miles of shoreline. He was also introduced into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2022. At 98 years old, he is the oldest billionaire on this list.
Did you know?
He co-founded the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance in 2002 to promote strong business ethics.
Conclusion
Canada has produced some of the richest people on earth. Among them are these 6 oldest billionaires in Canada over the age of 80. Some of them are still in business, some have retired into philanthropic activities.
They have built some of the best businesses in the industry. Imagine being 98 and still going to work? That is the kind of commitment billionaires like Stephen Jarislowsky have. It is good to know that some of them are using their money for the goodwill of the society.
