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Drahi
Patrick Drahi
Rank #477
FRANCETelecomTelecom

Patrick Drahi

Net Worth
$7.853B
+3.51% (24h)
Patrick Drahi is a French-Israeli billionaire businessman, primarily known for his ventures in the telecom and media industries. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, he is the founder of Altice, a multinational telecommunications and media conglomerate. Drahi has built a significant fortune through strategic acquisitions and investments, including Sotheby's auction house. As of March 2026, his net worth is estimated at $8.2 billion. Drahi is recognized for his entrepreneurial drive and his impact on the global communications landscape. His career includes founding Sud Câble Services and spearheading Altice's expansion through leveraged deals, showcasing his business acumen and commitment to innovation.

How to read Patrick Drahi's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Patrick Drahi, we anchor the narrative to Telecom and Telecom, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $7.853B alongside global rank #477, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (FRANCE) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Patrick Drahi was born on August 20, 1963, in Casablanca, Morocco, to a Jewish family. His parents were mathematics teachers. At age 15, his family moved to France, where he later pursued higher education.

Rise to Success

Drahi's career began in the telecommunications industry after earning degrees from École Polytechnique and Télécom Paris. He started Altice in 2001, expanding it through strategic acquisitions. Key acquisitions include SFR in France, and Suddenlink and Cablevision in the United States, which were later consolidated into Altice USA.

Key Business Strategies

Drahi is known for using leveraged acquisitions to buy undervalued assets and aggressively cut costs. His strategies have significantly expanded Altice's global presence. He is also recognized for his keen eye for opportunity, as demonstrated by the purchase of Sotheby's in 2019.

Philanthropy

Drahi and his wife, Lina, established the Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation in 2014. The Foundation supports a variety of causes, particularly in education, science, and the arts.

Career Timeline

2019

Acquired Sotheby's

Acquired the auction house Sotheby's.

2001

Founded Altice

Established Altice, a holding company that invested in cable and mobile operators.

1994

Founded Sud Câble Services

Founded a cable company in France.

1986

Fiber Optics Researcher

Began career as a fiber optics researcher at Philips.

Philanthropic Impact

Education, Science, Arts$MM

Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation

Supports educational, scientific, and cultural programs.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Altice USA38.00%

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Patrick Drahi was born on August 20, 1963, in Casablanca, Morocco, to a Jewish family. His parents were mathematics teachers. At age 15, his family moved to France, where he later pursued higher education.

Rise to Success

Drahi's career began in the telecommunications industry after earning degrees from École Polytechnique and Télécom Paris. He started Altice in 2001, expanding it through strategic acquisitions. Key acquisitions include SFR in France, and Suddenlink and Cablevision in the United States, which were later consolidated into Altice USA.

Key Business Strategies

Drahi is known for using leveraged acquisitions to buy undervalued assets and aggressively cut costs. His strategies have significantly expanded Altice's global presence. He is also recognized for his keen eye for opportunity, as demonstrated by the purchase of Sotheby's in 2019.

Philanthropy

Drahi and his wife, Lina, established the Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation in 2014. The Foundation supports a variety of causes, particularly in education, science, and the arts.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Patrick Drahi are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.