Zara Founder Amancio Ortega to Receive Record €3.23bn Dividend Payout
The billionaire founder of Zara, Amancio Ortega, is set to receive a company record dividend of €3.23bn (£2.8bn) this year from Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer. This payment represents a 4% increase from last year's dividend of €3.1bn, reflecting the group's robust financial performance.
Dividend Details and Shareholder Structure
Ortega, who controls 59% of Spain's Inditex, will receive half of his dividend in May and the other half in November, a schedule that applies to all shareholders. His daughter, Marta Ortega Pérez, currently serves as the chair of the company, maintaining family leadership over the global fashion empire.
Inditex's Financial Performance and Growth
Inditex, which operates brands such as Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, and Oysho, reported a 3.2% rise in sales to €39.9bn for the year ending 31 January 2026. Pre-tax profit increased by 5.8% to €8bn, driven by strong operational results. Despite closing 103 stores worldwide, the company expanded its total selling space by shifting to larger outlets.
Amancio Ortega's Background and Wealth
Amancio Ortega, who turns 90 this month, founded Zara in 1975 from a small store in La Coruña, Spain. With a net worth of approximately $126.7bn (£94bn), he ranks as the 15th wealthiest person globally according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Ortega is known for his hands-on approach, often seen at the Inditex head office engaging with staff.
Historical Use of Dividends and Tax Considerations
In previous years, Ortega has used his dividend payments to fund significant property acquisitions, including London's The Post Building, New York's Haughwout Building, and the Southeast Financial Center in Miami. Reports indicate he accelerated property investments last year to navigate Spain's wealth tax, the only fully fledged wealth tax in the EU, which offers exemptions for reinvesting income within a year.
Future Expansion and Technological Investments
Inditex plans to increase store space by 5% this year and continue growing its online presence. The company reported a strong start to the new year with sales up 9% between 1 February and 8 March, excluding currency impacts. Expansion efforts include introducing the cut-price brand Lefties to the UK, seeking sites for The Apartment concept, and opening new stores in the US, Norway, Denmark, and Curaçao.
Innovation and Supply Chain Resilience
The group is investing in technology, such as an AI-based virtual-fitting system that allows online shoppers to create avatars and visualize products. Inditex has also noted no disruptions to stock flow from the Middle East, a key hub for fashion shipments from countries like Bangladesh, ensuring continued operational efficiency.
