Sammy Ofer (born Shmuel Ofer, 1922–2011) was an Israeli-born shipping magnate and billionaire philanthropist who built one of the world's largest maritime empires through the Ofer Brothers Group. Born in Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine, to a Jewish family, he began his career during the British Mandate period and, after Israel's independence in 1948, co-founded the Ofer Brothers shipping company with his brother Uzia. The conglomerate grew to include tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships, amassing a fortune estimated in the billions and becoming a dominant force in international maritime trade by the late 20th century. Ofer was a prominent philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to Israeli causes, including the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, the Israel Museum, the Sammy Ofer Wing at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and maritime-related initiatives. He maintained a low public profile despite his wealth and influence, focusing on family and philanthropy. Ofer passed away in 2011 at age 89, leaving a legacy carried on by his sons, Eyal and Idan Ofer. His influence extended to Israel's economic and cultural landscape, with institutions like the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa bearing his name. While his business dealings were occasionally scrutinized, Ofer was not involved in major public controversies.