Peet Viljoen's net worth and earnings: What we know so far?
Peet Viljoen’s exact net worth is unknown. He has built his career through law, business and investments, with Tammy Taylor Nails becoming a major part of his public profile. His finances have also come under scrutiny amid business disputes and legal troubles in 2026.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Peet Viljoen’s net worth has not been independently verified, despite estimates placing his wealth in the millions.
- His earnings have been linked to his legal career, business ventures and involvement with Tammy Taylor Nails.
- Peet has publicly discussed his finances, offering some insight into his wealth and assets.
- His financial position has faced increased scrutiny following his business disputes and legal troubles in 2026.
Profile summary and bio
Full name | Petrus Jacobus Viljoen |
Nickname | Peet Viljoen |
Date of birth | February 3 (year unknown) |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Romantic orientation | Heterosexual |
Current residence | Woodhill Estate, Pretoria, South Africa |
Current nationality | South African |
Marital status | Married to Melany Viljoen |
Ethnicity | White |
Gender | Male |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Brown/hazel |
Children | Three |
Profession | CEO and entrepreneur (former attorney) |
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Peet Viljoen's net worth and earnings
Peet Viljoen's exact net worth is not publicly verified. Older reports estimated that he was worth millions based on his businesses, properties and lifestyle. Those estimates should be treated with caution because there is no reliable public financial statement confirming a specific figure.
Peet has, however, spoken about his wealth over the years. In an interview published by The Star, he said,
Yes, I am rich, but I earned my money. I don’t drink, I don’t use drugs and I am home every day at 4:30 pm with my (then wife) and three children.
He also said that he had earned his wealth honestly.
His finances came under renewed attention during his 2026 bail application. Peet discussed his financial position while arguing that he was not a flight risk. Reports said he also gave the court details about his and Mel Viljoen's assets.
Source: Original
How does Peet Viljoen make his money?
Peet's career has included law, business and television. He previously worked as an attorney and became known as a celebrity lawyer. His clients reportedly included well-known South African entertainers and sports personalities.
His legal career later ended after he was struck from the roll of attorneys in 2011. He subsequently became involved in business with his wife, Melany "Mel" Viljoen.
The couple became closely associated with Tammy Taylor Nails in South Africa. Mel was the public face of the beauty business, while Peet was involved in its management. Their business profile grew alongside their television appearances.
The couple also became known for their expensive lifestyle. Their cars, designer clothing, properties and other luxury purchases became part of their public image.
Peet Viljoen and Mel Viljoen's business empire
The couple's involvement with the brand, Tammy Taylor Nails, later became controversial. Franchisees raised complaints about some business dealings. At the same time, the US-based Tammy Taylor also became involved in legal disputes with the Viljoens over the brand and trademark.
Source: Getty Images
A 2025 High Court matter also involved a Tammy Taylor franchise dispute. The court found the Viljoens liable to refund a franchisee who had paid money for a salon that did not materialise.
The business disputes are relevant to Peet's financial history. They also show why claims about the couple's wealth need to be separated from independently established financial information.
What happened to Peet Viljoen's legal career?
Peet Viljoen's legal career ended long before his latest criminal case.
He was a prominent attorney before being struck from the roll in 2011. His legal career included work involving high-profile clients. He later moved into business and became a familiar television personality alongside Mel.
His name later became linked to a long-running case involving alleged fraud connected to Johannesburg municipal properties. That matter became a major issue again in 2026 after he returned to South Africa.
What charges is Peet Viljoen facing?
Peet was arrested by the Hawks at OR Tambo International Airport on 16 June 2026 after returning from the United States.
He faces about 400 charges. They include fraud, corruption, theft, forgery and related offences. The charges concern an alleged scheme involving the sale of Johannesburg Property Company properties in 2010.
Prosecutors allege that 46 municipal properties were fraudulently sold. The properties were reportedly worth about R27.6 million. Peet has denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the case against him is weak.
His bail application continued for several weeks. The defence argued that he was not a flight risk because he had voluntarily returned to South Africa despite knowing that he could be arrested.
The court rejected that argument. On 17 August 2026, Magistrate Nicca Setshogoe denied Peet bail after finding that he posed a flight risk. He was ordered to remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.
The case is still ongoing. Peet remains an accused person and has not been convicted of the charges.
Peet Viljoen's wife, family and personal life
Peet Viljoen is married to businesswoman and reality TV personality Melany "Mel" Viljoen. The couple became widely known after appearing on The Real Housewives of Pretoria.
Their relationship has attracted considerable public attention. They have also faced business and legal controversies together.
Peet and Mel have said that they chose not to have children together. Peet has three children from a previous marriage, although little information about them is publicly available.
Source: Getty Images
Who is Peet Viljoen's ex-wife and how many children do they have?
Peet was married before his relationship with Mel. Public reports state that he has three children from his previous marriage.
Details about his former wife and children are limited. Peet has generally kept that part of his family life away from the spotlight. His relationship with Mel is different. The pair have built much of their public profile together through business, television and social media.
What happened to Mel and Peet Viljoen in 2026?
Peet and Mel faced another major setback in 2026 when they were arrested in Florida. The couple was arrested in March over allegations involving the theft of groceries from a supermarket. They later faced immigration problems in the United States.
Peet was eventually deported and returned to South Africa in June. He was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport shortly after landing because of the outstanding South African case. Mel returned to South Africa separately. She later spoke about her detention and the couple's difficult experience in the US. She also continued to support Peet during his South African court proceedings.
Peet also addressed the US case during his South African bail application. His legal team said he claimed he was not involved in the alleged shoplifting incident.
Where is Peet Viljoen now?
As of August 2026, Peet Viljoen remains in custody in South Africa. His bail application was denied on 17 August after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found that he posed a flight risk. The court also considered concerns about his residential circumstances and allegations raised by the State.
His criminal case is still before the courts. He faces about 400 charges linked to the alleged Johannesburg property scheme.
Who is the richest person in South Africa?
Johann Rupert is the richest person in South Africa. Forbes estimated his and his family's fortune at about $17.8 billion in August 2026. His wealth comes mainly from luxury goods, investments and his stakes in companies such as Richemont, Remgro and Reinet.
Peet Viljoen’s financial story is closely tied to his career and business ventures. Public claims offer clues about his wealth, but they do not establish a definitive figure. His ongoing legal battles have also added new questions around his finances and business dealings.
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Justine De Lange (Lifestyle writer) Justine De Lange has over 6 years of experience in lifestyle, corporate and freelance writing. She started at Now Media for their lifestyle publication 'Let's Go', then joined 'travSIM' and 'Metavaro'. She now writes for Briefly News as a content writer, working with beats such as studies, services, business tips, and celebrity biographies (joined in 2022). In 2023, Justine finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can contact her directly via JustinedeLange14@gmail.com.
Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in digital publishing. She writes across lifestyle, entertainment, sports, education, and finance, with work featured on MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, Industry Biz, and Briefly.co.za. She previously worked as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. She holds a BA in Urban and Regional Planning and is pursuing an MA in Environmental Law. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.
