Rebecca Macdonald: The Serbian Billionaire Who Conquered Canada and Cheers for Novak at Wimbledon
Did you know that one of the richest women from these parts, Rebecca Macdonald, of Serbian origin, stands shoulder to shoulder with the biggest sports stars? At Wimbledon, while Novak Djokovic was smashing rackets and opponents, she was cheering for him from the stands – a woman whose fortune is estimated at a staggering two billion dollars!
From Sarajevo to Canada: A Journey Full of Challenges
Born as Ubavka Mitić in 1943 in Sarajevo, Rebecca grew up in a family of academically educated parents. Her father was an electrical engineer, and her mother was a manager at the National Bank in Sarajevo. Although she enrolled in medical school in Belgrade, life took her far from Yugoslavia – to Canada, where at just 22 years old, she started from scratch, not knowing a word of English.
She worked night shifts at a bank, learned the language, and slowly built her path. She married a Canadian of Scottish descent and took the name Rebecca Macdonald. But the real story was just beginning.
A Business Empire Worth Billions
In 1989, she founded EMI, capitalizing on the deregulation of the natural gas market in Ontario. Later, she founded Just Energy Group Inc., which today serves about 1.7 million customers and dominates the gas and electricity trading market in Canada.
Her company employs around 1,000 people, and she has been repeatedly awarded – from Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year to an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria. She is also a recipient of the highest diplomatic honor – the Knight of the Svetosavski Pacifism.
Philanthropy and Serbian Roots
Despite becoming a powerful businesswoman, Rebecca has not forgotten her roots. She donated three million dollars to a Toronto hospital to fight arthritis, a disease she herself battled. She built a church in Toronto in honor of her late mother, who inspired her to help her community.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. She experienced disappointment due to divisions within the Serbian community in Canada but believes younger generations will reunite the people.
Supporting Novak Djokovic
Rebecca is a passionate tennis lover and a great advocate for sports. At Wimbledon, she was one of Novak Djokovic’s loudest supporters, cheering him on in crucial moments. Their friendship spans years, and she was once a member of Novak’s PTPA advisory board.
Conclusion: A Story of Persistence and Success
Rebecca Macdonald is proof that with persistence and belief in yourself, you can reach the top, even if you start from zero in a foreign country. Her story inspires everyone dreaming big, and her support for Novak Djokovic only highlights her as a woman who never forgets her roots and is ready to fight for her ideals.
If you think life is easy, remember Rebecca’s journey – from night shifts at a bank to billions of dollars and cheering for the world’s best tennis player. So, what do you think – is this the story of a true heroine or just another success fairy tale? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s in and who’s out on this Canadian-Serbian legend!
