Marcelo Claure is a billionaire businessman widely recognized as the richest man in Bolivia. He was born in La Paz on December 9, 1970 (age 52) and currently serves as chairman and banker. He resides in Miami and holds U.S. citizenship. He is a father of four and has an estimated net worth of nearly $3 billion.
Early years, family background, and passion for football
As the son of a Bolivian diplomat, Marcelo spent much of his early life abroad, although he completed his primary and secondary education in La Paz. His father, René Claure, was not only a prominent diplomat but also worked as a geologist.
After finishing school, Claure moved to the United States to pursue his studies. At the age of 23, he graduated with a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Lowell in Massachusetts.
A lifelong football fan, Marcelo has always been passionate about the sport, with Club Bolívar as his favorite team—one of Bolivia’s most popular.
In 1994, as Bolivia’s national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup, Claure merged his academic background with his passion by joining the Bolivian Football Federation’s marketing department.
Return to the U.S. and the start of something new
Following the end of the 1994 World Cup, Claure returned to the U.S. in 1995 and immersed himself in the business world. Before launching his own company, he began working in the telecommunications sector.
He first purchased a mobile phone distributor and later served as president of another firm before founding his major business venture: Brightstar.
Brightstar was established in 1997 in the United States and quickly became a technology-driven company specializing in services for the wireless industry.
To grasp the company’s rapid rise, by the early 2000s—just three years after its founding—Brightstar was already operating in several South American countries and had partnered with Motorola for operations across the continent.
During this period, Brightstar experienced major success and became a recognized force in the U.S. tech landscape. Business media outlets praised the company as one of the fastest-growing and most influential in its early years.
Brightstar’s reach extended beyond South America, with operations expanding into Europe and Asia.
Partnership with SoftBank
After several successful years, Claure made a strategic move that would significantly boost his fortunes. In 2013, SoftBank, a major Asian investment conglomerate, acquired a majority stake in Brightstar.
SoftBank initially purchased over 50% of the company, while Claure retained a smaller share, though the Japanese group would eventually control nearly 70%. The deal secured Claure a key role in the broader tech investment ecosystem.
In the meantime, he was appointed CEO and president of Sprint, a major U.S. telecommunications company owned by SoftBank. He used his position to acquire smaller firms and lead large-scale negotiations.
His impact at Sprint and across other ventures led to his promotion in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer of SoftBank. After several years in this global leadership role, Claure eventually stepped down from SoftBank.
Marcelo Claure today
Football, one of his lifelong passions, has remained a constant in his life. In 2008, Claure founded BAISA, a capital management company that operates Club Bolívar. He is both owner of the company and president of the team.
His involvement in football extends beyond Bolivia. Claure owns a 35% stake in Girona FC, which is part of the City Football Group, a conglomerate owned by Arab investors that controls multiple football clubs.
In 2023, Claure joined Shein, a Chinese fashion company, as an executive to lead its expansion in Latin America, leveraging his extensive experience in global business development.
He also serves as CEO of Claure Group, a technology-focused investment company with international reach.
Marcelo Claure’s partnership with Shein reflects his ongoing commitment to scaling companies and entering new markets. He expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, eager to continue pushing boundaries in global business.