Amancio Ortega, the billionaire founder of Zara, is poised to receive a record dividend of €3.23bn (£2.8bn) this year from Inditex, the company he still controls with a 59% stake. This dividend will be distributed in two parts: half in May and the other half in November. Inditex, which also owns popular brands like Bershka and Pull&Bear, announced a 4% increase in its dividend due to a robust operating performance in the latest financial year.

In the year ending January 31, 2026, Inditex reported a sales increase of 3.2% amounting to €39.9bn, with pre-tax profits rising by 5.8% to €8bn. This substantial increase in dividends slightly surpasses the €3.1bn dividend Ortega received last year, providing a clear indicator of the company's steady growth and profitability in the competitive fashion sector. Ortega's wealth, now estimated at $126.7bn (£94bn), cements his position as the 15th richest person globally, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Inditex operates over 5,460 stores across more than 90 countries and employs approximately 160,000 people. The increase in dividend reflects the company's strong performance amidst ongoing challenges in the global retail environment. As Ortega’s daughter, Marta Ortega Pérez, steps into the role of chair, this financial milestone highlights both the company's resilience and the significant financial returns for its primary stakeholders, including Ortega himself.