Nathan Kirsh
2012 BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP
A reclusive mogul stands to pocket as much as $22 billion from the deal, landing him a spot as one of the world’s 200 richest people.
Reclusive 94-year-old billionaire Nathan Kirsh (known as Natie) got a whole lot richer this week, when he announced that he’s selling his food supply wholesale giant, Jetro Restaurant Depot, to food distribution multinational Sysco at a $29.1 billion valuation. Forbes estimates the deal, which is expected to close by early 2027, adds at least $10 billion to Kirsh’s net worth. (Forbes had been valuing his share of the business at $5 billion.) Depending on taxes, Kirsh could pocket nearly $22 billion once the transaction closes.
Kirsh, a South African native who has lived in Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) for decades, owns around three-quarters of Jetro Restaurant Depot through a holding company. The New York-based firm owns and operates 166 wholesale food supply stores around the United States that sell everything from fresh produce and prime rib to commercial kitchen equipment and takeout containers.
