Businessman Dinu Patriciu Wealthiest Romanian – Forbes Top Billionaires

According to Forbes rankings, businessman Frank Timis comes in second place with a fortune amounting to over EUR1 billion and is followed by Ioan Niculae and Dan Adamescu, both with almost EUR1 billion, and by Veronica Dragan with EUR800-900 million.

Romanian former tennis player Ion Tiriac is ranked sixth with EUR750-800 million, followed by Marius Cristescu and Emil Cristescu with a fortune estimated at EUR500-550 million, Gabriel Comanescu (EUR450 million), Gabriel Popoviciu and Radu Dimofte (both with EUR400-420 million).

Romanian MEP Gigi Becali is placed 22nd in the Forbes rankings with a fortune of EUR200 million.

Media owner Sorin Ovidiu Vantu, who is currently investigated at large for fraud, has a fortune of EUR215 million.

The second edition of Forbes Romania Top has 66 new entries.

Romanian billionaires’ fortune total EUR28.2 billion this year (24.3% of the gross domestic product) down 1.77% compared to 2009.

Only 19.4% of the Romanian billionaires included into last year’s wealthiest people list compiled by Forbes Romania registered higher fortunes in 2010 and 61.6% reported a significant fortune decrease.