Marcelo Claure Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Rise of a Global Entrepreneur: The Early Journey of Marcelo Claure

Marcelo Claure — full name Raúl Marcelo Claure Bedoya — was born on December 9, 1970, marking a birthday every December 9th.  His life from early on was defined by movement: though his family roots are Bolivian, his father’s diplomatic career with the United Nations took them across Morocco, the Dominican Republic, and eventually back to La Paz, Bolivia, where Claure spent much of his formative years. 

In 1989, after completing high school in La Paz, he moved to the United States for college. He began at the University of Lowell, later transferring to Bentley University in Massachusetts, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance. Even as a student, Claure’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident: he launched a business trading frequent-flyer miles — a venture that grew fast and foreshadowed his future ambitions. 

These early moves taught him adaptability, global awareness, and the importance of seizing opportunities — lessons that would underpin a business career spanning continents and industries.

Turning Phones into an Empire: Founding and Scaling of Brightstar

In 1997, Claure founded Brightstar in Miami — a wireless services distribution company initially focused on Latin America.  With founder-level grit and vision, Brightstar grew rapidly from a startup to a global powerhouse. By 2002, it was the top distributor in every country where it operated; by the early 2000s, the company had expanded into the U.S., becoming its fastest-growing division.

Under Claure’s leadership, Brightstar evolved into one of the world’s largest wireless distributors. Its global reach — spanning all six inhabited continents — turned Claure into a major figure in tech and telecom distribution. 

This meteoric rise caught the attention of global investors. In 2013, a majority stake in Brightstar was acquired by SoftBank Group, setting the stage for Claure’s transition from founder-entrepreneur to corporate executive. 

Steering Giants: Leadership at Sprint and SoftBank

After SoftBank’s stake acquisition, Claure stepped into a high-stakes leadership role as CEO of Sprint Corporation (starting August 11, 2014).  Sprint was then struggling — losing billions annually and hemorrhaging customers. Claure executed a bold turnaround: through cost cuts, strategic adjustments, and renewed customer focus, Sprint began gaining customers and returned to profitability. 

But Claure didn’t stop at stabilization. He steered Sprint toward a merger with T-Mobile US, completed in 2020. Post-merger, Claure joined the board of the combined company — positioning himself at the center of a reshaped U.S. telecom landscape. 

In parallel, Claure’s role at SoftBank expanded. He served as COO of SoftBank Group Corporation and CEO of SoftBank Group International, overseeing a wide portfolio including companies like Boston Dynamics, Arm Holdings, and former SoftBank investees. His time at SoftBank marked his transition from operator to global strategist — managing capital flows, investments, and shaping long-term bets across technology and growth markets.

From Telecom to Investment Powerhouse: Claure Group, Shein & Bicycle Capital

After his tenure at SoftBank, Claure shifted focus toward building his own investment empire through his family office, Claure Group. 

In February 2023 he took on a leading role at Shein, becoming Chair of its Latin American operations — and in October 2023 he was named Group Vice Chairman. 

At the same time, Claure launched Bicycle Capital in June 2023, a venture capital fund focused on Latin American startups — signaling his commitment to fueling growth and innovation across emerging markets.

Through these moves, Claure shifted from direct corporate leadership into investment — leveraging his experience, network, and capital to back the next generation of disruptive businesses.

Wealth at a Glance: Marcelo Claure’s Net Worth Today

Estimating net worth is never exact — especially for individuals with diversified holdings. But multiple reputable sources place Claure’s fortune in the multibillion-dollar range. A profile from Quiver Quantitative (October 2025) estimates his net worth at at least US$1.4 billion, based in part on his shareholdings in T-Mobile US. 

Other publicly available estimates, including recent commentary, suggest figures around US$2 billion, underscoring his status as one of Bolivia’s — and Latin America’s — wealthiest individuals.

While these numbers fluctuate with market conditions, corporate valuations, and his diverse portfolio, what remains consistent is Claure’s legacy as a self-made entrepreneur who transformed a small cellphone-distribution business into a global investment platform.

Balancing Business and Family: Relationships & Personal Life

Off the boardroom floor, Claure’s life is anchored by family. He is married to Jordan Engard — a partnership that dates back to 2005.  Together they have four daughters. Additionally, Claure has a son and a daughter from a previous marriage, making for a total of six children.

Despite a global business presence and a life of high-stakes deals, Claure has consistently emphasized the importance of family, grounding his ambitious ventures with personal stability. It is a balancing act that many admire, reflecting his ability to manage both the demands of global business and the responsibilities of fatherhood.

What His Birthday Represents: More Than a Date

Claure’s December 9th birthday is more than an annual celebration — it marks the beginning of a narrative that spans continents, industries, and life’s many roles. Born amid global movement, educated abroad, and rising through relentless ambition, his journey from cellphone stores to boardrooms to global investment underscores a quintessential rags-to-riches story — one defined by vision, adaptability, and relentless drive.

For entrepreneurs and dreamers, his birthday stands as a reminder: real success often starts with small, bold steps — and the courage to seize unexpected opportunities.

Why Marcelo Claure’s Story Matters Today

In an era where technology, investment, and globalization define fortunes, Claure’s path offers a roadmap for cross-border ambition. From Latin America to the U.S., from telecom to fashion to venture capital, his narrative shows how a global mindset — grounded in hard work, timing, and strategic risk — can shape an enduring legacy.

As he continues deploying capital through Claure Group and Bicycle Capital, and steering new ventures like Shein in Latin America, Claure remains more than a business magnate — he is a symbol of upward mobility, global influence, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship.