Spain’s wealthiest man, Amancio Ortega, is set to collect a record €3.23bn dividend from his fashion empire, much of which is expected to flow directly into global real estate. Ortega owns 59% of Inditex, the company responsible for brands like Bershka and Massimo Dutti. The 2026 dividend payout is the largest in the company’s history, reflecting a year where the retailer navigated global economic shifts to post an €8bn pre-tax profit.
Ortega has gained a reputation for snapping up iconic commercial properties in major global hubs to diversify his assets. His past acquisitions include New York’s Haughwout Building and the Southeast Financial Center in Miami, alongside major holdings in London. This strategy is partly influenced by Spain’s wealth tax laws, which incentivize the reinvestment of dividends into active economic assets within a specific timeframe.
The underlying engine for this wealth, Inditex, reported a 3.2% rise in sales, reaching €39.9bn by the end of January 2026. The company’s ability to grow during a period of market volatility is attributed to its “robust operating performance” and agile supply chain. By pivoting away from smaller shops and toward massive, tech-integrated outlets, the retailer has managed to increase its total selling capacity significantly.
Innovation is playing an increasingly central role in the company’s growth under the leadership of Chair Marta Ortega Pérez. The group is currently rolling out an AI-powered avatar system to help online customers find the perfect fit, reducing the rate of returns. Additionally, the company is preparing to launch its budget-friendly brand, Lefties, in the United Kingdom as part of a broader global expansion plan.
As Ortega prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday, the dividend marks yet another milestone in a career that began in a small Galician shop in 1975. Inditex officials reported a 9% surge in sales during the first five weeks of the new fiscal year, excluding currency fluctuations. With 160,000 employees and a market-leading digital strategy, the group continues to set the pace for the global fashion industry.