Joseph Safra, Brazilian Richest Man of Arab Origin, Dies at 82 Years

Brazilian richest man of Lebanese origin, banker Joseph Safra, died at age 82 of natural causes, according to press reports on Sunday.

Safra, whose wealth is estimated at $23.2 billion, ranked 63rd on Forbes magazine's list of the world's wealthiest people.

Born in 1938 to a Lebanese Jewish family in Beirut, Safra emigrated with his family to Brazil, where his father founded what would become Banco Safra.

In 1962, he and his brothers took over the bank from their father, who died the following year.

They turned it into a major financial group, with operations in more than 25 countries.

A patron of the arts and philanthropist, Safra donated part of his fortune to medical research, and also purchased artworks for Sao Paulo's Pinacoteca, one of the leading museums in Brazil.