Pedro Moreira Salles

A major inherited banking and industrial base came first

Moreira Salles is the son of banker and diplomat Walther Moreira Salles, who built Unibanco and left his sons ownership in the family's banking and industrial assets. Forbes identifies Itaú Unibanco and CBMM, the niobium producer, as the principal sources of Pedro's fortune. ^[1]

Pedro nevertheless spent decades inside the family businesses rather than remaining only a beneficiary. Forbes Brasil reports that he worked in the family's agricultural and holding-company operations before moving into senior positions at Unibanco, eventually becoming chief executive and chairman. ^[2]

In 2008 Unibanco merged with Itaú, creating Itaú Unibanco. Pedro helped lead that transition, converting the family's stand-alone bank ownership into a major stake in a larger financial institution while preserving significant influence through the family's holding structure. ^[1][2]

Later ownership restructuring increased his share of the family platform

A 2022 family reorganization further concentrated Pedro's exposure to the banking stake. Forbes Brasil reported that he bought portions of his brothers' interests and came to hold 44% of Companhia E. Johnston de Participações, the vehicle through which the family controls a major Itaú Unibanco position. ^[2]

His fortune is therefore best understood as inherited ownership that was actively managed, reorganized and expanded through major corporate transactions. The full value of Itaú Unibanco, CBMM and other family companies is not his personal net worth; only the ownership attributable to him is relevant. ^[1][2]