The Ledger / Dona Bertarelli
Dona Bertarelli
◼ Origin
Inherited a controlling stake in Serono biotech from her father Ernesto Bertarelli Sr.; she and her brother Ernesto Jr. sold Serono to Merck KGaA for €10.6B in 2007, generating the family's current fortune.
◼ Self-Made Verdict — INHERITED
Received Serono stake as inheritance; the sale to Merck KGaA for €10.6B was her primary wealth-generation event.
◼ Documented marks
01
Co-inherited the Bertarelli family fortune from the 2007 Serono sale to Merck KGaA for €10.6B; split the proceeds roughly equally with brother Ernesto Jr.
02
Serono's Rebif (multiple sclerosis drug) was investigated by US DOJ in 2005; Serono SA and subsidiaries pled guilty and paid $704M to settle off-label marketing charges — the largest pharma criminal fine at that time.
03
Manages the Bertarelli Foundation focused on marine conservation; also known for America's Cup sailing sponsorship.
No inheritance, or primary accounts documented for this billionaire yet.
◼ List of charges
No documented charges yet.
These are moral charges, not legal ones. The actual legal system has not — and will not — bring them.
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