If you’ve ever wondered, “Who is the richest person in El Salvador?” the answer is clear: Roberto Kriete Ávila. With an estimated fortune ranging from $2 billion to over $6 billion, Kriete stands as the wealthiest individual in the country, largely due to his role as the majority shareholder of the airline Avianca and his diversified business ventures.
But Kriete’s influence extends beyond wealth. In 2025, he played a key role in the inauguration of the “Key Institute,” a higher education center that aims to boost innovation in El Salvador.
The event was attended by President Nayib Bukele, who delivered a speech highlighting the institute’s potential impact. This project underscores Kriete’s commitment to education and national development.
Kriete has also been in the spotlight for his candid remarks in high-profile settings. In a viral YouTube video from a meeting at the Presidential House with top Latin American entrepreneurs, President Bukele asserted that the state is always more powerful than criminal groups and questioned why they couldn’t be stopped.
Kriete’s quick-witted response—”because they are in the government”—drew attention and sparked discussions online.
As a fun fact, Michael Saylor (@saylor) was also present at this meeting.
While other notable figures like the Poma family (with an estimated $4.3 billion fortune) and the Calleja family (owners of Super Selectos) are also major players, Roberto Kriete remains the undisputed richest person in El Salvador, blending business acumen with a growing legacy in education and public discourse.
In El Salvador, people generally don’t know who the richest person is. They only have a general idea of who the wealthy individuals are, particularly certain last names that stand out, since people already know that certain families are wealthy. So, if you ask a Salvadoran, ‘Who is the richest person in El Salvador?’ they most likely wouldn’t know.
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