Koos Bekker Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Companies, Education, House, Contacts

Biography

Jacobus Petrus Bekker (born December 14, 1952), known as Koos Bekker, is a prominent figure in the business world, hailing from South Africa. As a billionaire businessman, he currently holds the position of Chairman at Naspers Limited, a global media and internet group operating in over 130 countries.

Bekker‘s contributions extend beyond his role at Naspers; he is the visionary founder of M-Net, Africa’s pioneering pay television service. Additionally, he is the mastermind behind MTN, the largest mobile phone operator on the African continent. 

With an impressive educational background that includes graduation from Columbia Business School, Koos Bekker‘s accomplishments have earned him recognition as one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, as acknowledged by Forbes.

Koos Bekker
Koos Bekker: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Jacobus Petrus Bekker
Stage Name:	Koos Bekker
Born:	14 December 1952 (age 71 years old)
Place of Birth:	Potchefstroom, South Africa
Nationality:	South African
Education:	University of the Witwatersrand (1976–1978), Stellenbosch University
Height:	1.62 m
Parents:	Cornelius Jansen Bekker, Deleen Erasmus
Siblings:	5
Spouse:	Karen Roos
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	4
Occupation:	Businessman
Net Worth:	$2.4 billion (USD)

Early Life & Education

Born on December 14, 1952, in Heidelberg, Gauteng Province, South Africa, Koos Bekker is the son of Cornelius Jansen Bekker and Deleen Erasmus, and he grew up with his five siblings.

For his secondary education, Koos attended Hoer Volkskool Heidelberg, where he laid the foundation for his diverse academic interests. Subsequently, he pursued higher education at Stellenbosch University, focusing on law and literature. 

Graduating with distinction, Koos Bekker earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 and later completed his BA in Law in 1975. He also went to the University of the Witwatersrand from 1976 to 1978.

Career

Returning to South Africa, Koos Bekker embarked on a remarkable journey in the business world. Joining Rand Merchant Bank, he laid the foundation for his illustrious career. In 1985, Bekker co-founded M-Net, pioneering the creation of Africa’s inaugural pay television service. The venture expanded rapidly, reaching 48 countries across the continent and propelling Bekker into the world of global billionaires.

In 1997, Koos Bekker assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Naspers, an early investor in the M-Net/Multichoice group. Under his adept leadership, Naspers evolved from a modest South African media enterprise into a colossal global internet conglomerate. 

Retiring as CEO in 2014, Bekker contributed to Naspers as a board member. In 2015, he further solidified his leadership position by becoming the Chairman of Naspers and also assumed the role of Chairman at Prosus, a technology holding company predominantly owned by Naspers.

Koos Bekker‘s impact extends beyond corporate boardrooms. He actively shapes the future of information technology globally as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council. Additionally, his influence in leadership and scholarship is evident through his trustee role at the Rhodes Trust. As a co-founder of the South African chapter of the Clinton Global Initiative, Bekker remains committed to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions.

Koos Bekker‘s multifaceted contributions showcase his enduring influence and pivotal role in steering the growth and success of prominent companies, marking him as a trailblazer in South African business.

Social Media

• Linkedin: koos bekker
• Facebook: Koos Bekker

Personal Life

At the age of 71, Koos Bekker, a distinguished South African businessman and philanthropist, finds happiness in the warmth of family life alongside his beloved wife, Karen Roos. 

Their shared journey includes the joy of parenthood as they proudly nurture four wonderful children. This content and joyous family unit relishes quality time together, cherishing every precious moment that life brings their way.

Net Worth

Koos Bekker is a successful South African businessman who has amassed a net worth of $2.4 billion. He currently holds the position of chairman at two multinational companies, namely Naspers and Prosus. 

Naspers is a media and internet group that operates in multiple countries, while Prosus is a global consumer internet group that invests in online businesses worldwide. In addition to his business ventures, Bekker is actively involved in philanthropic work through the Bekker Foundation, which focuses on supporting education, health, and social justice initiatives in South Africa.