French billionaire Claude Berda, a meaningful figure in the luxury real estate markets of Portugal and Switzerland, has died, according to reports released Friday. Berda’s passing marks the end of an era for the Portuguese property sector, where he spearheaded large-scale developments and attracted substantial foreign investment. Beyond real estate, Berda was also a prominent media executive as co-founder and president of AB Groupe, a French company operating 21 television channels [[1]]. His influence spanned both sides of the Atlantic, leaving a lasting impact on the industries he touched.
French billionaire Claude Berda, a major investor in luxury real estate across Portugal and Switzerland, has died, according to reports on Friday, December 19th. Berda’s ventures significantly impacted Portugal’s high-end property market, a sector increasingly attracting international attention.
Berda founded Vanguard Properties in Portugal in 2016, developing luxury projects including Castilho 203, Infinity Tower, and the exclusive Terras da Comporta complex.
The Franco-Swiss businessman, also co-founder and president of the AB Groupe – a French company with 21 television channels and a vast audiovisual rights catalog – first visited Lisbon in October 2015, connecting with Portuguese manager José Cardoso Botelho. This partnership led to the 2016 launch of Vanguard, and a landmark acquisition: a consortium with Amorim Luxury purchased the Herdade da Comporta assets for €157.5 million. That project evolved into the Terras da Comporta (Dunas and Torre) complex, initially slated for investment exceeding €1 billion. These properties are currently listed for sale.
“A truly extraordinary man has passed away,” said José Cardoso Botelho, former CEO of Vanguard Properties, in a statement. “Claude Berda was a master at anticipating the future and a friend through and through. His contribution to the real estate sector and his vision for Portugal will be a lasting legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Born in Paris on February 3, 1947, Berda naturalized as a Swiss citizen in 2013. He amassed a considerable fortune through financial and real estate investments in Switzerland, alongside his media holdings.
