Ion Tiriac is the richest Romanian for the second year in a row, according to Top 300 Capital. He has a wealth estimated at EUR 1.5 billion, up compared to last year.

Ioan Niculae, who ranked second last year, lost his position, and was replaced by local entrepreneurs Adrian Paval and Dragos Paval, who own the DIY retailer Dedeman, with a net worth of EUR 850-900 million, reports local Capital.ro.

Niculae was sentenced to two years and six months jail time earlier this year. He’s still Romania’s third richest, with EUR 750-800 million.

Iulian Dascalu, who has developed several shopping malls in the country under the Iulius Mall brand, has climbed five positions in the ranking, to number 5. Telecom group RCS&RDS owner Zoltan Teszari is 4th, with an estimated wealth of EUR 480-500 million.

Oil services tycoon Gabriel Comanescu, industrialists Marius and Emil Cristescu, and real estate moguls Gabriel Popoviciu, Liviu Tudor and Gigi Becali complete the top 10.

George Becali, who served two years in prison for long term abuse of the land exchange system, managed to return to top 10 richest Romanians. Seven years ago, he ranked first. His wealth has decreased to EUR 270-300 million this year, compared to EUR 300-350 million last year.

The total wealth of the 300 richest Romanians amounted to EUR 20.8 billion this year, down 7.5% year-on-year.

editor@romania-insider.com