Livia Voigt: The Story of the 20-Year-Old Brazilian Who Became a Billionaire Before Graduating

Hello HaWkers, a 20-year-old Brazilian is among the richest people on the planet. Livia Voigt, a psychology student from Florianopolis, entered the Forbes list of youngest billionaires in the world with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion - approximately R$7 billion.

Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like to wake up at 20 knowing that, even without having worked a day, your wealth grows by millions every week? Livia's story is fascinating and offers interesting reflections on wealth, technology, and opportunities in Brazil.

Who Is Livia Voigt

Livia was born into one of the most traditional business families in Santa Catarina. Currently 20 years old, she studies psychology in Florianopolis and, according to Forbes, does not participate in the operations of the company that made her a billionaire.

The Origin of the Fortune

Livia's wealth comes from her 3.1% stake in WEG, one of the largest electric motor companies in the world. The company was co-founded by her great-grandfather, Werner Ricardo Voigt, in 1961.

Data about WEG:

Founded in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina
Exports to more than 135 countries
Annual revenue over R$32 billion
One of the largest publicly traded companies in Brazil
More than 40,000 employees globally

The Voigt Family

Livia is not alone at the top. Her sister Dora Voigt, 27, also owns 3.1% of WEG and appears on the same Forbes list with identical wealth of $1.2 billion.

Both inherited their stakes after the death of great-grandfather Werner Ricardo Voigt in 2016.

Why Livia's Story Is Relevant For Developers

You might be wondering: what does an heiress billionaire have to do with a tech career? The answer lies in what WEG represents in the global technology landscape.

WEG Is a Technology Company

While many associate WEG only with electric motors, the company is at the center of several technological revolutions:

Renewable Energy

WEG is one of the largest manufacturers of equipment for solar and wind power generation in the world.

Electric Mobility

With the growth of electric vehicles, WEG motors and components are in high global demand.

Industrial Automation

The company produces automation systems that are fundamental to Industry 4.0.

Industrial IoT

WEG sensors and connected systems are transforming factories around the world.

Career Opportunities

For developers, companies like WEG represent significant opportunities:

Embedded software development
IoT and telemetry systems
Monitoring and analytics platforms
Machine learning applications for predictive maintenance
Industrial automation software

Brazil's Context in the Global Scenario

Brazilian Technology Companies

WEG's story shows that Brazil has the capacity to create world-class companies in technological sectors. Other examples include:

Company	Sector	Market Value
WEG	Motors/Energy	~R$200 billion
Nubank	Fintech	~R$150 billion
TOTVS	ERP Software	~R$15 billion
Embraer	Aeronautics	~R$30 billion

The Startup Ecosystem

While Livia represents inherited wealth from traditional Brazil, the country is also producing a new generation of tech billionaires:

David Velez (Nubank)

The founder of Nubank built the largest fintech in Latin America from scratch.

Henrique Dubugras and Pedro Franceschi (Brex)

Two Brazilians who created a $12 billion company in Silicon Valley.

Cristina Junqueira (Nubank)

Co-founder of Nubank, one of the most influential women in fintech globally.

Lessons For Your Career

Livia's story, although based on inheritance, offers interesting reflections:

1. Technology Creates Lasting Wealth

WEG has existed for over 60 years because it consistently invests in innovation. For developers, this means that building quality technology can have an impact for generations.

2. Brazil Has Global Potential

A company founded in a small city in Santa Catarina today exports to 135 countries. If you are developing software in Brazil, your potential market is the whole world.

3. Traditional Sectors Need Technology

WEG is not a "sexy startup," but needs talented developers for:

Motor control systems
Remote monitoring platforms
Energy efficiency applications
Integration with customer systems

4. Building vs Inheriting

While Livia inherited her fortune, today's developers have the unique opportunity to build wealth through:

Equity in startups
Own products (SaaS, apps)
Specialized consulting
Participation in tech companies

The Job Market in Industrial Companies

If WEG's story sparked your interest, it is worth knowing the technology market in Brazilian industrial companies:

Jobs and Salaries

Companies like WEG, Embraer, Vale, and Petrobras hire developers for:

Embedded Software:

Languages: C, C++, Rust
Salary range: R$12,000 - R$25,000

Industrial Systems:

Technologies: PLCs, SCADA, OPC
Salary range: R$10,000 - R$20,000

Web/Mobile Development:

Stacks: React, Angular, Node.js
Salary range: R$8,000 - R$18,000

Data Science/ML:

Tools: Python, TensorFlow, Spark
Salary range: R$15,000 - R$35,000

Benefits of Working in Industry

Greater stability than startups
Long-term projects with real impact
Exposure to complex technical problems
International opportunities
Profit sharing and robust benefits

The Future of Industrial Technology in Brazil

Trends to Watch

Electrification:

With the global energy transition, companies like WEG are positioned for massive growth.

Industry 4.0:

Brazilian factories are modernizing, creating demand for specialized software.

Nearshoring:

Foreign companies are bringing production closer to the US, benefiting Brazil.

Opportunities For Developers

If you want to work with cutting-edge technology in an industrial context:

Learn about embedded systems
Study industrial protocols (Modbus, OPC-UA)
Develop knowledge in IoT
Understand control and automation fundamentals
Consider specialization in specific sectors (energy, manufacturing, mining)

Perspective on Wealth and Technology

Livia Voigt's story is a reminder that wealth can come in different forms:

Inheritance: Livia's case
Founding: Creating a company from scratch
Participation: Equity in growth companies
Skill: Competitive salaries in technology

For most developers, the most realistic path combines:

Developing valuable skills
Working at companies with growth potential
Eventually creating own products
Investing wisely

The interesting thing is that all these options are more accessible today than at any time in history, especially for those working with technology.

Conclusion

Livia Voigt may be Brazil's youngest billionaire, but her story is more about the legacy of a Brazilian technology company that conquered the world than about individual success.

For developers, the message is clear: technology creates lasting value. Whether working at an established company like WEG, at a fast-growing startup, or on your own projects, technical knowledge is the key to creating impact and, potentially, wealth.

If you want to explore other ways to use your development skills to create value, I recommend checking out the article From Procrastination to Continuous Delivery: How to Become an Indie Hacker in 2025 where we discuss how to turn side projects into real businesses.

Let's go! 🦅

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