Dinu Patriciu
Oil

Dinu Patriciu Net Worth

Dinu Patriciu, born in Romania in 1950, has been investing the proceeds from the sale of his oil company, Rompetrol, to Kazmunaigaz in real estate, retail, and oil and gas exploration. Despite his retail efforts faltering, with MiniMax Discount filing for bankruptcy and Mic.ro stores rumored to be sold off to 7-Eleven, Patriciu is still committed to his energy project, planning to spend up to $1 billion to look for Black Sea oil and gas. He also owns Adevarul Holding, which publishes Forbes Romania under license from Forbes Media LLC. Despite his warnings of a second recession in Europe, Patriciu remains committed to his investments.
Dinu Patriciu is a member of Oil

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Day August 03, 1950
Birth Place Romania
Age 70 YEARS OLD
Died On 19 August 2014(2014-08-19) (aged 64)\nLondon
Birth Sign Virgo
Education Bucharest Institute of Architecture
Occupation Businessman Politician Architect
Political party PNL
Children Ana Patriciu, Maria Patriciu

💰 Net worth: $1.5 Billion (2024)

Dinu Patriciu, also known as the Oil Baron of Romania, is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the country's oil industry. Born into a modest family, he embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that eventually led to immense riches. As of 2024, Patriciu's net worth is estimated to reach a staggering $1.5 billion, solidifying his status as one of Romania's richest individuals. With a diverse portfolio covering various sectors, including energy, real estate, and aviation, Patriciu has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Romania's business landscape. Through his astute investments and pioneering spirit, he has greatly contributed to the growth and development of the nation's economy. Patriciu's name will forever be associated with his groundbreaking achievements in the oil industry, which earned him the title of Oil Baron of Romania.

2010 $2.2 Billion
2011 $2.2 Billion
2012 $1.5 Billion
2018 $1.5 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1990

In 1990, he founded the first private company in Romania, "Alpha", having architecture and constructions activities. The following year, Patriciu's company began buying land in a northern district of Bucharest in order to build an apartment complex. A couple of octogenarians initially refused to sell, before reaching an agreement. Short time after this, the old man died and his wife disappeared, police being informed of this disappearance by a Business associate of Patriciu. Not long after, the house was demolished and the land was taken over. Accused by the press of involvement in a murder, Patriciu denied any involvement and claimed that her death delayed the project.

1996

Patriciu was an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of Bucharest in the Romanian local election, 1996.

1998

In 1998, he bought from the Romanian government the oil company Rompetrol. A year later, the company took over the Vega Ploiești oil refinery. In the same year, the headquarters of the company was moved to the Netherlands. In 2000, Rompetrol took over Petros, Romania's only oil well services company at the time, renaming it Rompetrol Well Services. In 2001, Petromidia Năvodari, the largest refinery in Romania was sold to Rompetrol for $50 million.

1999

The Directorate for the Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) sent the case to court, being accused of seven felonies: embezzlement, money laundering, conspiracy, market manipulation, disclosure of privileged information and initiation or establishment of an organised crime ring. Patriciu was accused of being involved, as CEO of Rompetrol, in a case of embezzlement in 1999-2001. The company misappropriated an amount of $85 million that were owed to the state budget under EPSA agreements.

2003

The 570 million € debt of Rompetrol to the Romanian state was converted in 2003 into bonds by the Adrian Năstase Government. In 2014, the Victor Ponta government erased the debt.

2006

In May 2006, following an interrogation, Dinu Patriciu was arrested for 24 hours, being accused of tax evasion, money laundering and fraud. He was freed at the end of the 24 hours, as the judges refused to extend the warrant requested by the prosecutors. Patriciu accused the prosecutors of "serving a reactionary interest group represented by General Ioan Talpeș and former President Ion Iliescu". The Prosecutors' Body issued a communiqué in which they decried "a gross interference of political parties in the case", arguing that "the fight against corruption must be carried to the end".

2007

In 2007, President Traian Băsescu accused the then-Prime Minister Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu of sending him a note in 2005 asking to influence the political investigations of Dinu Patriciu, an ally of Popescu-Tăriceanu. Băsescu said that he did not make the note public earlier because he wanted not to derail the negotiations for the EU admission. The Prime-Minister admitted he sent the note, but claimed he just wanted that the President make sure that investigations were carried out correctly.

2009

A support of right-libertarian politics, Patriciu was a long-time member of the National Liberal Party. During the 2009 Romanian presidential election, Patriciu released a video which President Băsescu appeared to hit a boy; Traian Băsescu sued for libel and won.

2012

Patriciu was diagnosed with cirrhosis and he underwent a liver transplant in Milan in 2012. He was later diagnosed with lymphoma.

2014

Patriciu died on 19 August 2014, aged 64 at the Royal Free Hospital in London due to a lung infection after spending several days in hospital. He was buried in the Bucharest Bellu cemetery, in a private ceremony.

Some Dinu Patriciu images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.