Edward Pattinson is a very famous British entrepreneur, investor, property developer, and philanthropist. He has amassed a net worth of $85 million as of October 2019. Pattinson is best known for founding the company River Island, which sells designer clothes and accessories. He is also the founder of Fortnum & Fortnum, a brand that sells high-end biscuits, meats, and other British specialties worldwide. He is a major contributor to various British and international charities. In 2019, he founded the new charity, Generation Tomorrow UK which focuses on educating children about climate change and its impacts. He also co-founded the environmental charity River Restoration with his wife, Tessa. Besides his net worth, the entrepreneur owns many properties in England, including a 45,000-square-feet manor, nine country estates, and two yacht clubs. In this article, we will tell you more about Edward Pattinson’s net worth, his philanthropic endeavors, and much more!
Biography
Edward Pattinson was born in Kent, England, in 1958. He is the son of George, a wealthy landowner, and Elizabeth, a housewife. He grew up in a large family that cared for and protected him. After attending the exclusive Dragon School in England, he went on to study Economics at the London School of Economics. In 1980, he received a first-class honours degree in Economics. After graduating from the LSE, Pattinson traveled to South Africa to teach Economics at the University of Cape Town. He worked as a Professor of Economics at the University of Cape Town from 1980 to 1982.
It was while teaching Economics at the University of Cape Town that Edward Pattinson became interested in property development. He saw the potential to develop good-quality property in Africa, and founded River Island in 1982. River Island is a famous British brand that primarily designs and distributes women’s clothing and accessories. It also owns property in Spain, Germany, and a number of cities in England. In October 2019, the company had sales of £67.1 million (approximately $85.9 million).
Over the years, Pattinson has built up a diverse investment portfolio that includes hotels, retail parks, house-buying business, and property development businesses in the UK and internationally. He was a significant investor in many of the luxury brands that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century, including Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Dior, and many others. His flagship investment is arguably the most famous shopping destination in the world: Harrods. In 2019, he became a non-executive director of the luxury store. In the same year, he also became a nonexecutive director of Harvey Nichols International and a member of the International Advisory Board of Gucci.
Net Worth
Edward Pattinson’s net worth is a figure that many might doubt. The entrepreneur is known for being a brilliant business mind and a great philanthropist. He has managed to transform himself from a relatively unknown young economics professor to one of the wealthiest individuals in the UK. It’s not easy to quantify the exact value of Edward Pattinson’s contributions to society, but it’s certainly in the millions.
The majority of Edward Pattinson’s wealth stems from his property developments, retail parks, and investments in other commercial enterprises. He is the founder of the business that now operates as Fortnum & Fortnum, a supplier of high-end biscuits, candies, and other British specialties. The company was originally established in 1765 and is one of the UK’s biggest food companies. In 2019, Fortnum & Fortnum had sales of £58.9 million (approximately $75.6 million).
Founded in 1881, the J. Worsley Company is another commercial enterprise that has risen rapidly under Edward Pattinson’s guidance. The hosiery brand specializes in silk and synthetics and offers a complete line of ladies’ hosiery, including nightgowns, stockings, and tights. The company is now one of the UK’s most prestigious and largest retailer of women’s underwear and hosiery. In 2019, J. Worsley had sales of £39.9 million (approximately $52 million).
Another major source of Edward Pattinson’s wealth is his investments in hotels and commercial centers. In 2019, the entrepreneur became a limited partner in the Starwood hotel chain. He is also a major shareholder in Berkeley hotel group, and became its managing director in early 2020. His other major investment is in the Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, which he co-owns with the billionaire Gianni Agnelli. He also became a limited partner in the Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts in 2021.
Edward Pattinson’s various property development companies include large developments in the UK and abroad. He is the founder of the Islandia development in the UK, which is a sprawling complex close to the English coast that he developed. It features a marina, 18 championship golf courses, two helipads, a croquet lawn, and a pool complex with nine floating pools and Jacuzzi.
Another major milestone in Edward Pattinson’s life was the founding of River Island. The company is best known for its designer clothing and accessories for women, but also offers a wide range of menswear and children’s wear. In the year 2022, River Island expects to generate sales of £150 million ($196.8 million).
The properties that Edward Pattinson and his wife, Tessa, own and manage together include several grand country houses in England as well as a number of apartments in the French Riviera. In 2019, the couple donated £25 million ($32.8 million) to the fight against climate change. They have also established an environmental education charity, River Restoration, which focuses on raising awareness about environmental issues. The couple have committed to donating an additional £25 million to the charity over the next five years.
Philanthropy
Edward Pattinson is widely known for being a devoted philanthropist. He and his wife have made large donations to a number of charities and good works over the years. In 2019 alone, the couple gave £25 million to establish Generation Tomorrow UK, an organization that focuses on educating children about climate change. In 2022, they are predicted to give another £25 million to the charity.
Besides establishing Generation Tomorrow UK, the couple have also made significant contributions to the London Jewish Museum, Tate Modern, The V&A Museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the National Gallery.
Yacht
It’s not all about money for Edward Pattinson. The entrepreneur has a passion for yachting and owns a number of vessels that he and his wife use for the leisure of it all. Edward and Tessa’s love of yachting started when they were children. They both grew up in a yachting family, and it was the family’s tradition for the children to spend holidays aboard their yachts. The couple bought their first yacht, the aptly named Sea Princess, in 1988. The 130-foot luxury yacht is now used for charter yachts, private yacht charters, and weddings. Her current value is in the region of £4 million ($5.3 million).
The Sea Princess is not the only yacht that Edward and Tessa own. They also have a 45-foot sailing yacht called the Sun Dancer, a 39-foot explorer yacht called the Golden Discus, and a 29-foot yacht called the Ocean Endeavour. In addition, the couple travel extensively aboard their airplanes, and have a collection of luxury aircraft.
Hobbies
Besides investing and being a philanthropist, the busy Edward Pattinson has a number of hobbies. In 2019, he took up polka-dancing and is a passionate student of the country dance. He also enjoys fly fishing and golf, and is a member of the UK’s illustrious Royal and Ancient Golf Club. He has a yacht brokerage business that he founded and runs from his offices in London. As a lover of history, he is also a member of the exclusive Chatsworth House Club, which was founded in 1902 and is one of the world’s most famous clubs. It has some amazing buildings, including a Gothic Revival mansion and an 1860 Italian villa. The club is a must for those who are interested in architecture and history. Edward Pattinson is truly a man of many talents!