Jean Salata

Jean Eric Salata (; born 22 December 1965) is a Chilean businessman who currently serves as Chairman of EQT AB. He is the founder of Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA), one of the largest private equity firms in Asia that was later acquired by EQT AB.

In February 2023, Forbes put his net worth at US$5.9 billion making him the second richest person in Chile and the 15th richest person in Hong Kong. He is also the 85th wealthiest person in Latin America.

Early life Salata was born in Chile on 22 December 1965, to Orlando Salata and Hilda Rothleder. His family's roots trace back to Austria, Poland, and Germany, as his parents were emigrants who sought refuge from Nazism in the 1930s.

Salata and his family moved to Erie, Pennsylvania when he was five. He started investing in the stock market when he was 12 to 13.

In 1988, Salata graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

After graduation, Salata worked for Bain & Company initially in Boston and in 1989 moved to Hong Kong where he advised foreign companies on Mainland China entry strategies.

Personal life

Salata is married to Melanie Pong who he met while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. She studied French literature and has a master's degree in Art History. She is a Hong Kong native and was one of the reasons why Salata moved to Hong Kong.

Salata's father, Orlando was an architect who graduated from the University of Chile. He had worked on the Barber National Institute and the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center. He died on 20 May 2009.

Salata has a brother named Maurice who is also an architect like their father.

In February 2021, Salata donated $5 million to Cathedral Preparatory School to help construct the Salata Technology and Innovation Center.

In June 2022, Salata and Melanie donated $200 million to establish the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University.