Two generations of South Africa’s influential Oppenheimer family, billionaires Nicky Oppenheimer and his son Jonathan Oppenheimer, are among the distinguished alumni of Harrow School, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious boarding schools.
Founded in 1572 under a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I, Harrow School has educated members of royal families, world leaders, business executives, Nobel Prize winners and renowned entertainers. Its notable former students include Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, King Hussein of Jordan, Benedict Cumberbatch and James Blunt.
Located on a 324-acre campus overlooking London, the school is known for its academic excellence, leadership training, sports, music and arts programmes. It has also served as a filming location for several productions, including scenes from the first Harry Potter film.
Harrow consistently ranks among the UK’s top-performing schools. In the 2025/2026 academic year, students recorded outstanding A-level and GCSE results, with many securing admission into leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and several Ivy League institutions in the United States.
Attending the school comes at a premium, with annual boarding and tuition costs running into tens of thousands of pounds, although scholarships and financial aid are available for eligible students.
The school’s connection to South Africa is strengthened by the Oppenheimer family, whose wealth was built through the mining giants Anglo American and De Beers.
Nicky Oppenheimer attended Harrow before studying at Oxford University and later joined the family business, eventually becoming chairman of De Beers. During his leadership, he helped establish the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme aimed at curbing the trade in conflict diamonds.
In 2011, the Oppenheimer family ended more than 80 years of direct ownership in De Beers after selling its 40 percent stake in the company for approximately $5.1 billion.
Jonathan Oppenheimer also studied at Harrow and later attended Oxford University, where he played first-class cricket. He went on to work in finance and mining before founding Oppenheimer Partners in 2016, an investment firm focused on opportunities across Africa.
Beyond business, the Oppenheimer family has earned recognition for its philanthropic efforts, supporting entrepreneurship, conservation and economic development through initiatives such as the Brenthurst Foundation and Oppenheimer Generations.
Jonathan also owns Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, where he has invested heavily in wildlife conservation.
According to Forbes, the Oppenheimer family has an estimated net worth of $10.6 billion, making them the second-richest family in South Africa.
