Eleven Entrepreneurs from the Balearic Islands Among Spain's 100 Richest

Balearic Islands carry economic weight – at least in the Forbes list

Last week a well-known economic list caused conversation again in cafés on the Passeig and along the coast: Eleven people with roots in the Balearic Islands made it into Spain's 100 richest. Sounds like a headline you hear at the bar — but behind it are real family businesses, hotels and banks that provide jobs and stories here.

Who leads the island contingent?

At the top of the Balearic list again is Miquel Fluxà, the man behind the Iberostar Group. With an estimated fortune of about €3.3 billion he is well ahead of many other islanders — and according to estimates around €1.3 billion up on the previous year. Still: in Spain overall the top position remains with textile founder Amancio Ortega.

Banks, hotels, family businesses

At number 17 of the national ranking appears Carlos March Delgado of Banca March, closely followed by members of his family. Another clear trend: it is mainly traditional tourism dynasties that put Mallorca on the national rich list. Names like Carmen and Luis Riu, Simón Pedro Barceló, Isabel García Lorca (Grupo Piñero), Gabriel Escarrer Jaume (Meliá) and Abel Matutes (Palladium Hotel Group) stand for hotels, resorts and decades of business activity on the island.

What does this mean for Mallorca?

For many locals these numbers are more a topic of conversation than everyday life. In Port de Sóller or at the baker in Santanyí you hear: Sure, they are rich — but what matters is whether the families invest locally, create jobs or join local projects. Sometimes it's small things: a building renovation in the old town, sponsorship of a village festival, or new hotel projects that bring jobs — and occasionally also disputes over construction projects.

The list also reflects the structure of Mallorca's economy: tourism and hospitality still dominate, alongside traditional banking as a visible pillar. When you walk through Palma you can see traces of these companies: well-kept hotels, administrative buildings and occasionally generous foundations.

A local perspective

Whether you celebrate these Forbes ranks or comment with a shrug is up to you. The fact is: eleven placements in the top 100 show that the Balearic Islands are not just a holiday idyll but also economic power centers with influence. For the island this means opportunities — and challenges. More jobs, more investment, but also debates about sustainability, spatial planning and the distribution of wealth. And yes: in November, when the Tramuntana whistles and the café is a bit fuller, these topics will surely come up even more often.