What is Zdenek Bakala's Net Worth?
Zdenek Bakala, a distinguished Czech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, boasts a net worth of $1.9 billion. Born on February 7, 1961, in Opava, Czechoslovakia, Bakala migrated to the United States at 19. He pursued his higher education at Dartmouth College, earning a Master of Business Administration.
Early Career
Upon graduation, Bakala commenced his career with Credit Suisse First Boston in 1990, heading their Czech desk across New York, London, and Prague. In 1994, he founded Patria Finance, the Czech Republic's first private investment banking group, which he later sold to KBC Bank in 2001.
Founding BXR Group
In 2004, Bakala co-founded Bakala Crossroads Partners (BXR), a pivotal move that led to the acquisition of Karbon Invest. This acquisition included a significant stake in OKD, a leading black-coal-mining company in the Czech Republic.
Diverse Investments
BXR Group expanded its portfolio to include assets in railway freight transport via AWT, real estate through RPG Real Estate and Tower Group, and more. Additionally, Bakala is influential in the media industry, holding a majority share in the publishing house Economia since 2008.
Philanthropic Efforts
Zdenek Bakala is also deeply involved in philanthropy. He established the Zdenek Bakala Foundation and supports the Václav Havel Library and the DOX Centre. His broad-spectrum involvement in various industries and regions earned him a Forbes ranking as the 595th richest person globally in March 2011.
Personal Life
On the personal front, Bakala is married to Michaela Malacova, a former Miss Czechoslovakia. Together, they have three children. Malacova, active in the beauty pageant industry, runs beauty contests in the Czech Republic.
