How much money does Robert Hartono have? Here’s the net worth of the Indonesian owner of Como, left alone in charge after the passing of his brother Michael.
The story of the Hartono brothers has become much more than a simple financial tale: today, it is also one of the most fascinating narratives in the world of football. Since they became owners of Como, the Como club has transformed, going from a peripheral club (playing primarily in Serie B and Serie C) to an ambitious protagonist in Serie A. This rise culminated with promotion in 2024 and a surprising run to the top of the table, fueled by the coaching project led by Cesc Fabregas.
But 2026 is also marked by mourning: the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono, at the age of 86, leaves his brother Robert Budi Hartono alone in command of one of the world’s most solid economic empires. A group capable of spanning everything from tobacco to finance, from electronics to e-commerce, and even football. The Hartonos aren’t "just" the richest owners in Italy: they represent one of the most powerful entities in the global football scene.
The Hartono Family Empire, Indonesian Scrooges Own Como
To understand the economic and sporting influence of the Hartono family, we must go back to its origins. It all began with Oei Wie Gwan, the father of the two brothers, who in the 1950s took over a small, bankrupt cigarette factory and renamed it Djarum. From that moment, an empire built on industrial intuition and strategic diversification took shape.
Michael Bambang Hartono (1939-2026) and Robert Budi Hartono (born 1941) transformed that company into a global conglomerate. The core business remains tobacco, with its famous clove cigarettes, but the real leap came with its entry into finance: the family acquired a significant stake in BCA, now Indonesia’s largest private bank by market capitalization.
From there, expansion continued. The Hartonos invested in electronics with Polytron, entered the real estate sector with prestigious assets in Jakarta such as the Grand Indonesia and Hotel Indonesia, and entered the digital world with platforms such as Mola TV and the e-commerce company Blibli (listed in 2022 with one of the country’s most significant IPOs). In 2025, Polytron even debuted in the electric vehicles sector, confirming the group’s ability to intercept new industrial trends.
At the same time, Michael Hartono has also distinguished himself outside of business: a passionate professional bridge player and active in philanthropy through the Djarum Foundation, which is committed to education, sport, and the environment.
The brothers entered the football scene in 2019, when, through SENT Entertainment Ltd—the group’s London-based vehicle—the brothers purchased Como. The operation initially had a media focus: producing content (documentaries and the like) for the Indonesian market. But promotion to Serie B changed everything. The project grew, took shape, and transformed into an ambitious sporting vision.
The investments—estimated at approximately 300 million euros—are never casual: promising young players, modern infrastructure, development of the sports center, and modernization of the stadium. With Cesc Fabregas on the bench, Como became a credible club, capable of competing and attracting international attention. And today, it is even fighting for a place in the Champions League.
The Hartono Family Wealth
From an economic standpoint, the Hartonos represent one of the richest and most stable families on the planet. According to Forbes, they have consistently held the top spot among Indonesia’s richest since 2008.
In 2026, the family’s total wealth is estimated at approximately $43.8 billion, a slight decrease from the approximately $50 billion recorded in previous years, but still sufficient to keep them at the top of the national rankings.
Before Michael’s passing, the family’s wealth was divided between the two brothers: Robert Hartono with approximately $22.7 billion and Michael Hartono with $21.8 billion. This nearly even distribution reflected shared management of the family empire.
The strength of the company’s assets comes from diversified and resilient assets: the stake in BCA represents one of the main sources of wealth, while Djarum continues to generate high profits. These assets include luxury real estate, technology holdings, and strategic investments in new sectors, as demonstrated by the entry into e-mobility.
With Michael’s death, the entire system remains in the hands of Robert Budi Hartono, who becomes the sole point of reference for the family and the group. This is not just a formal succession: the transition marks a shift in balance, even though governance remains anchored to a consolidated family structure, with the new generations—like his son Victor—already involved in operational management.
Robert Hartono, the richest owner in Italy (and almost the world)
In Italian football today, there is no real comparison with Robert Hartono. Following his brother’s passing, the Como owner remains alone at the top of an economic ranking that sees him clearly dominate the entire Serie A. Even using the most recent figures as a reference, the gap with other owners is clear: no one comes close to his financial capacity.
He’s followed by Dan Friedkin, owner of Roma, with approximately $11.4 billion. A significant fortune, but still far behind that of the Hartono family, which even the most conservative estimates still stood at well over $38 billion before Michael’s passing. Next on the podium are the Saputo family of Bologna with $6.4 billion, followed by the Commisso family of Fiorentina ($5.6 billion) and Renzo Rosso, linked to Vicenza, with approximately $4.5 billion.
The most significant fact is precisely this: Hartono’s personal wealth is not simply the highest, but several times greater than that of his closest rivals. This advantage, in the Italian context, is unparalleled and makes Como unique.
Globally, the comparison changes only slightly. Giants like the Public Investment Fund and figures like Bernard Arnault (just under $200 billion) remain ahead, but among individual club owners, Hartono remains firmly among the richest in the world.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Il proprietario del Como è il più ricco della Serie A: ecco il patrimonio di Hartono
