Edith Venter is a South African businesswoman, socialite, author, and philanthropist best known as the founder and CEO of Edith Venter Promotions. She gained national attention in 1994 when she received a record-breaking R12-million divorce settlement from electronics tycoon Bill Venter. Beyond her socialite status, Edith has built a reputation as a successful event organizer and passionate charity advocate who has dedicated over 30 years to supporting cancer patients and children’s causes.
Edith Venter Biography
| Full name | Edith Venter |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 13 July 1950 |
| Age | 75 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Current residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | White South African |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouses | Roy Hermer, Bill Venter, Garth Carstens, Johnny Schwartz |
| Children | 2 (Blane Venter and Marc Venter) |
| Alma mater | Holy Rosary Convent, Edenvale |
| Profession | Businesswoman, event organizer, author, philanthropist, socialite, keynote speaker |
| Company | Edith Venter Promotions |
| Net worth | Estimated $2 million – $5 million |
Who is Edith Venter?
Edith Venter is a South African businesswoman and socialite who has been a fixture in South African high society for over three decades.
Born in Johannesburg in 1950, she rose to prominence as the Sunday Times Best Dressed Woman in 1989 and later became a household name following her highly publicized R12-million divorce settlement in 1994.
Edith is the founder and CEO of Edith Venter Promotions, an event management company that has been operating for over 21 years.
The company specializes in strategic brand communication, world-class events, brand activations, and premium experiences.
She serves as General Manager for Product of the Year South Africa and holds the position of Chairperson for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) network in South Africa.
As a philanthropist, she has supported numerous charitable organizations including the Red Cross, Reach for a Dream, Cotlands Baby Sanctuary, Johannesburg Child Welfare, and the South African Guide Dogs Association.
Her father’s death from cancer inspired her decades-long commitment to the Cancer Association of South Africa.
How old is Edith Venter? Age and birthday
Edith Venter is 75 years old as of January 2026. She was born on 13 July 1950 in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.
Where did Edith Venter go to school?
Edith attended Holy Rosary Convent in Edenvale, a Catholic school in the Johannesburg area. In a 2012 interview with TimesLIVE, the socialite reflected on her education, stating she would not want to return to her schooling days because students “sat at our desk and learnt out of a book.”
Early life and family background
Edith Venter was born and raised in Johannesburg in what she described as a “normal, average family.” Her childhood was marked by tragedy when her father died of cancer, an event that would shape her future philanthropic focus.
This personal loss inspired her to become a patron of the Cancer Association of South Africa and dedicate over 30 years to supporting cancer patients and their families.
Before settling permanently in South Africa, Edith lived in London for a period during her younger years. She returned to Johannesburg to marry electronics tycoon Bill Venter.
Edith Venter’s career
Event management business
Edith founded her promotions company, Edith Venter Promotions, in 1999. The company quickly became recognized as one of South Africa’s premier event management firms.
In September 2010, she rebranded the company to Edith Unlimited, but later changed it back to Edith Venter Promotions in 2018.
For over 21 years, Edith Venter Promotions has delivered strategic brand communication through high-end events, brand activations, and experiential marketing.
The company has managed prestigious events including the annual NAMPO agricultural show, Product of the Year Awards, and various corporate and charity galas.
Speaking to The South African in November 2025, Edith shared her business philosophy: “My approach is to expect the unexpected.
You need to be prepared for anything when organizing events.” Her attention to detail and commitment to perfection have made her one of the most sought-after event organizers in the country.
Fashion icon and socialite
Edith entered the public spotlight as the Sunday Times Best Dressed Woman of 1989. She was nominated for this prestigious title three consecutive years—1988, 1989, and 1990—winning in 1989. In 1994, she was featured in David Dodd’s calendar of South Africa’s most beautiful women.
Her impeccable taste and style have made her a regular feature in society pages of local newspapers and magazines. She is recognized as a fashion icon who has maintained her elegant image throughout her career.
Author
In 2008, Edith published her book “Edith Venter: The Art of Good Living,” written in collaboration with Heather Dugmore and published by Oshun Books.
The 240-page book offers insights into her life, philosophy, and experiences as a socialite, businesswoman, and philanthropist. The book provides readers with a glimpse into the woman behind the public persona.
Keynote speaker and public figure
Edith is an international public speaker and motivational figure. With her boundless energy and inspiring life story, she is a highly sought-after keynote speaker who addresses topics including business success, overcoming adversity, philanthropy, and women’s empowerment.
She serves as a role model to millions of South African women who admire her resilience and business acumen.
Product of the Year South Africa
As of 2026, Edith serves as General Manager for Product of the Year South Africa, an annual awards program that recognizes consumer-voted products. In this role, she oversees the organization and execution of the awards ceremony.
In August 2025, she announced that entries were open for the 2026 awards program, building on the success of the 2025 event which saw 32 winners across various categories.
What is Edith Venter’s net worth?
As of 2026, Edith Venter’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million (approximately R36 million to R90 million).
She built her wealth through multiple income streams including her event management company Edith Venter Promotions, her work as General Manager for Product of the Year South Africa, keynote speaking engagements, and her divorce settlements.
Her most publicized financial windfall came in 1994 when she received a record-breaking R12-million divorce settlement from her second husband, electronics tycoon Bill Venter.
This settlement made headlines across South Africa as one of the largest divorce settlements in the country’s history at that time. The money was later surpassed in 2002 when Iris Ferrer received R21 million in her divorce settlement.
While the divorce settlement provided initial financial security, Edith faced financial challenges in subsequent years. In 2003, News24 reported that she claimed to be “too poor to pay” legal costs to defend herself in a court case.
In 2022, Sunday World reported on financial difficulties related to unpaid debts, showing that managing wealth after high-profile divorces can be complicated.
Edith’s primary income now comes from Edith Venter Promotions, which has been successfully operating for over two decades. The company manages high-profile corporate events, brand activations, and charity fundraisers.
Her speaking fees as an international keynote speaker and her role with Product of the Year South Africa also contribute to her income.
Is Edith Venter married? Husband, relationships, and dating history
Edith Venter is currently divorced. She has been married four times throughout her life, with each marriage ending in divorce.
First marriage: Roy Hermer
Edith married Roy Hermer at the age of 25. This first marriage ended in divorce before she turned 30. Few details about this marriage are publicly available.
Second marriage: Bill Venter
Edith’s most publicized marriage was to Bill Venter, a prominent South African electronics tycoon and founder of the Altron Group. She returned to South Africa from London to marry him. Together they had two sons, Blane and Marc.
The marriage ended in 1994 with a record-breaking R12-million divorce settlement awarded to Edith. This settlement made national headlines and remained the highest divorce settlement in South Africa for years until it was surpassed in 2002. Bill Venter went on to marry other partners after their divorce.
Third marriage: Garth Carstens
In 1995, just one year after her divorce from Bill Venter, Edith married Johannesburg businessman Garth Carstens. Carstens was 10 years younger than Edith.
The couple married after dating for only three months, which Edith later acknowledged as “one of the worst decisions she made,” according to a 2008 Sowetan interview. This marriage also ended in divorce.
Fourth marriage: Johnny Schwartz
Edith married financial adviser Johnny Schwartz on 15 June 2008 at the Thornybush Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga. The wedding was attended by many prominent South African society figures. The couple was married for several years.
In 2024, Edith confirmed that her marriage to Johnny Schwartz had ended a few years prior. She is currently single and focused on her business ventures and philanthropic work.
Children
Edith Venter has two sons from her marriage to Bill Venter:
Blane Venter – Her eldest son, who was born around 1988-1990. As of 2018, Blane was reported to be 33 years old. He works in the family business sector and is part of second-generation management in the Venter business empire. Blane is married to Julie Nguyen.
Marc Venter – Her youngest son, born around 1990-1992. As of 2018, Marc was reported to be 31 years old. He is employed at Altech Netstar, part of the Altron Group founded by his father Bill Venter, and is involved in the family business.
Edith has expressed that her dedication to her two sons explains why children’s charities are so close to her heart. She has raised them as a single mother after her divorces and maintains a close relationship with both.
Edith Venter’s philanthropic work and charity involvement
Edith Venter’s philanthropic work spans over three decades and touches multiple causes, particularly children’s welfare and cancer support.
Cancer Association of South Africa
Following her father’s death from cancer, Edith became a patron of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). She has spent 30 years caring for and counseling cancer patients and their families. She donated over R2 million to the fight against cancer, including contributions to the Children’s Care Ward of Pretoria Academic Hospital.
Her dedication to cancer patients earned her the Mariette Loots Friends for Life Achievement Award in 2005, one of the highest honors in South African cancer advocacy.
In 2010, CANSA partnered with Edith, along with 1st for Women Insurance Brokers and DESTINY Magazine, to host a glamorous fundraising event.
Children’s charities
Edith supports numerous children’s organizations including:
- Reach for a Dream Foundation – Granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses
- Cotlands Baby Sanctuary – Providing care for abandoned and orphaned babies
- Johannesburg Child Welfare – Protecting children’s rights and welfare
- Red Cross – Humanitarian assistance
Other charitable work
- SA Guide Dogs Association – Supporting visually impaired South Africans
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) – Serving as Chairperson of the network in South Africa, organizing fundraising events for refugee support
- Women in Finance – Serving as Patron
- Osteoporosis awareness – Working as spokesperson
In July 2025, Edith and Edith Venter Promotions partnered with the Starfish Foundation in Ivory Park for Mandela Day, demonstrating her continued commitment to giving back to South African communities.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Edith Venter maintains an active social media presence to connect with her audience and promote her events:
Instagram:@edith_venter has over 2,000 followers. She shares content about her events, fashion, inspirational quotes, and charitable work. Her posts reflect her elegant lifestyle and professional achievements.
Facebook: Her official page@OfficialEdithVenter has approximately 1,360 likes. She uses this platform to announce events, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work, and promote causes she supports.
Business Instagram:@edith_venter_promotions has around 1,162 followers and showcases her company’s work, client projects, and event highlights.
Edith uses her social media platforms to maintain her public image as a businesswoman and philanthropist while also sharing aspects of her personal journey and style.
Awards and recognition
- Sunday Times Best Dressed Woman (1989) – Won after being nominated three consecutive years (1988, 1989, 1990)
- David Dodd’s Calendar (1994) – Featured as one of South Africa’s most beautiful women
- Mariette Loots Friends for Life Achievement Award (2005) – Awarded by the Cancer Association of South Africa for 30 years of work with cancer patients
- Honorary member of The Right Honourable League of Gentlemen
- Patron of Women in Finance
Fast facts about Edith Venter
- Edith received what was then a record-breaking R12-million divorce settlement in 1994, making headlines across South Africa.
- She was nominated for Best Dressed Woman in South Africa three years in a row before winning the title in 1989.
- Edith lived in London before returning to South Africa to marry Bill Venter.
- She founded Edith Venter Promotions in 1999, which has been operating successfully for over 21 years.
- Edith donated over R2 million to cancer-related causes in honor of her late father.
- She has been married four times, with all marriages ending in divorce.
- Edith serves as Chairperson for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) network in South Africa.
- Her 2008 book “Edith Venter: The Art of Good Living” provides insights into her life philosophy and experiences.
- She has two sons, Blane and Marc, from her marriage to Bill Venter.
- As of 2026, Edith serves as General Manager for Product of the Year South Africa, overseeing one of the country’s most prestigious consumer product awards programs.
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Wrapping up
Edith Venter has transformed her life from socialite and fashion icon to successful businesswoman and dedicated philanthropist.
At 75 years old, she continues to run Edith Venter Promotions, manage Product of the Year South Africa, and support numerous charitable causes.
Her journey through four marriages, financial ups and downs, and personal loss has shaped her into a resilient figure who inspires many South African women.
Edith’s legacy extends beyond her glamorous public image to encompass decades of charity work, business success, and her unwavering dedication to causes close to her heart.
References
- eSpeakers. “Edith Venter”.
- Keynote Speakers. “EDITH VENTER. Keynote Speaker. Contact, Quotes & Bookings”.
- News24. “Iris Ferrer gets R21m divorce”. August 6, 2002.
- TimesLIVE. “Inside the complexities of high-net-worth divorces”. November 3, 2025.
- Wikipedia. “Bill Venter”.
- The South African. “Edith Venter’s insights on the business of events”. November 27, 2025.
- Edith Venter Promotions. “Premier Event Management & Brand Communication”.
- TimesLIVE. “What celebs did for an education”. January 19, 2012.
- Bizcommunity. “Entries now open for the 2026 Product of the Year South Africa Awards”. 2026.
- Press Inside. “Edith Venter Age: Net worth, Husband, Children, Company”. July 8, 2025.
- Sunday Times. “Socialite comes home to Audi”. March 10, 2014.
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