Andrej Babiš's Biography

Andrej Babiš is a prominent Czech billionaire, businessman, and political figure, best known for founding the Agrofert conglomerate and serving as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021. Born on September 2, 1954, in Bratislava, Babiš studied at the University of Economics in Prague before launching a highly successful career in business. During the post-communist transition, he capitalized on the privatization of state enterprises, building Agrofert into a major player in agriculture, chemicals, and media. With an estimated net worth of $3.3 billion in 2024, Babiš is consistently ranked among the richest people in Central Europe. His business empire includes Agrofert, Mafra Media Group, and numerous agricultural and food processing ventures. Babiš entered politics in 2011, founding the ANO 2011 movement and rapidly ascending to the highest office in Czech government. His tenure has been marked by both achievements and controversies, including allegations of conflict of interest and EU subsidy fraud. Known for his pragmatic approach, Babiš famously stated, 'The state should be managed like a company.' Aside from business and politics, he enjoys golf, reading, and travel. Babiš remains a polarizing yet influential figure, often compared to other businessman-turned-politicians in Europe. His story is a testament to the profound changes in Central Europe since the 1990s, reflecting both opportunity and controversy at the intersection of wealth and power.