Who Is Hansjörg Wyss? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on September 19, 1935, Hansjörg Wyss is a prominent Swiss businessman and a noted philanthropist known for his significant contributions to environmental causes. As of 2025, he is 89 years old. Wyss gained international recognition not only for his business acumen but also for being one of the Democratic Party's most significant donors, making substantial contributions to various political campaigns and initiatives. His commitment to philanthropic work aligns with his business success, particularly in the medical device industry, where he made his mark.
| Occupation | Billionaire |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1935 |
| Age | 89 Years |
| Birth Place | Bern, Switzerland |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Switzerland |
Popularity
Hansjörg Wyss's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Hansjörg Wyss's physical statistics are not extensively documented, he is typically described as having a commanding presence. A rough estimate places him at around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, with a weight of approximately 180 pounds (82 kg). Like many in his age group, maintaining health and fitness is essential, and he is often seen engaging in outdoor activities.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hansjörg Wyss is known to keep his personal life private. However, it is reported that he is divorced and has children, although details about his family are not widely publicized. In recent years, he has not been publicly linked to anyone, suggesting that he may be focusing on his philanthropic efforts and business endeavors rather than on romantic relationships.
His father sold mechanical calculators and his mother was a homemaker. He was brought up in a flat with two sisters. After receiving a master's degree in civil and structural engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in 1959, Wyss earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1965.
Following that, he worked in various positions in the textile industry, including as a factory engineer and project manager for Chrysler in Pakistan, Turkey and the Philippines.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Hansjörg Wyss boasts an estimated net worth of over $10 billion. His wealth primarily stems from his successful business ventures in the medical technology sector, including the founding of Synthes, a company that specializes in orthopedic device manufacturing. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts, particularly in environmental conservation and education, show his commitment to giving back despite his vast wealth.
As of 2025, Wyss Forbes estimated his net worth at US$4.8 billion, while Bloomberg estimated his net worth at $12.7 billion. Having donated hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental causes, he has more recently increased his donations to groups promoting progressive causes.
In 2024, Wyss additionally donated $100 million to the City of Berne which bequeathed honorary citizenship on him. In the United States, Wyss is a major donor of the Democratic Party.
Wyss's political giving has come under scrutiny since foreign nationals without permanent residency in the United States are prohibited from donating directly to federal political candidates or political action committees.
Career, Business and Investments
Hansjörg Wyss founded Synthes in the 1970s and turned it into a leading orthopedic device company, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2012 for approximately $21 billion. Beyond his successful business career, Wyss is known for his contributions to various philanthropic causes, including the Wyss Foundation, which focuses on land conservation and promoting innovative solutions to support biodiversity. His investments often reflect his values, emphasizing sustainability and environmental protection.
Johann Georg "Hansjörg" Wyss (born 19 September 1935) is a Swiss billionaire businessman and donor to politically liberal and environmental causes in the United States. He is the founder and former president and chairman of Synthes, a medical device manufacturer. His Wyss Foundation has nearly $2 billion in assets.
Social Network
Hansjörg Wyss maintains a low-profile presence on social media, focusing primarily on his philanthropic endeavors and business interests. His philanthropic foundation and business initiatives can be followed through various social media platforms where he is occasionally mentioned, but he prefers to keep personal interactions limited. Notably, his influence extends through partnerships with influential figures in both business and politics.
In 1977, Wyss founded and became president of Synthes USA, the U.S. division of the Switzerland-based Synthes, a medical device manufacturer making internal screws and plates for broken bones.
He founded the company after meeting Martin Allgoewer, the founder of AO Foundation, and obtaining permission to sell the organization's devices in the Americas. In an early initiative, Wyss opened a Synthes USA manufacturing plant in Colorado. Prior to that, another Swiss company manufactured Synthes' devices and exported them to the U.S.
Under Wyss' control, the U.S. division expanded its sales team and trained surgeons how to use its products. Wyss served as Synthes' worldwide CEO and chairman until his resignation as CEO in 2007. He maintained his post as company chairman until Johnson & Johnson acquired Synthes in 2012.
During his tenure, Wyss said discussions of new products made up one-third of board meetings. A manager assigned to the Norian project testified before a grand jury that "for somebody who is at his level and his level of success, I would say he [Wyss] has a surprising amount of contact with what's going on".
Staff recalled meetings in which he intensively probed their projects.
Education
Wyss earned his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bern in Switzerland. He later moved to the U.S. to pursue further education, attending Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business Administration, where he refined his entrepreneurial skills. His educational background laid a solid foundation for his future business successes.
In 1998, he created the Wyss Foundation. The objective of the foundation was to establish and sponsor informal partnerships between non-governmental organizations and the United States government, in order to place large swathes of land under permanent protection in the American West. The organization sponsors the Wyss Scholars Program for graduate-level education in conservation.
