# How the Van Hoorebeke Family Built a Diamond Empire in Antwerp

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/family-business-stories-with-fexingo-succession-legacy-and-multi-generational-companies-7871577/how-the-van-hoorebeke-family-built-a-diamond-empire-in-antwerp
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/family-business-stories-with-fexingo-succession-legacy-and-multi-generational-companies-7871577/how-the-van-hoorebeke-family-built-a-diamond-empire-in-antwerp.md
Podcast: [Family Business Stories with Fexingo: Succession, Legacy, and Multi-Generational Companies](https://stenobird.com/podcast/family-business-stories-with-fexingo-succession-legacy-and-multi-generational-companies-7871577)
Published: 2026-07-02T03:51:31+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/family-business-stories/episode-0088.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/family-business-stories/episode-0088.mp3
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Duration seconds: 650

## Resource

In this episode of Family Business Stories with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how the Van Hoorebeke family built a diamond empire in Antwerp over three generations without ever borrowing from a bank. From a single polishing table in 1923 to a global hub cutting one-third of the world's rough diamonds today, the Van Hoorebekes kept control through strict family governance and a unique profit-sharing model. Lucas breaks down their 'no debt, no outside equity' rule, how they navigated the 2008 crash when diamond prices fell 40 percent, and why they turned down a $200 million buyout offer from De Beers in 2015. Luna challenges whether the model can survive with the next generation. Specific numbers, names, and lessons throughout. This episode is part of the Fexingo Business podcast network. #VanHoorebekeFamily #DiamondEmpire #AntwerpDiamonds #FamilyBusiness #GenerationalWealth #NoDebt #ProfitSharing #DeBeers #DiamondIndustry #BusinessStrategy #SuccessionPlanning #PrivateCompany #LegacyBuilding #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #FamilyGovernance #Bootstrapping #DiamondTrade Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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