Privatier

Not to be confused with Privateer.

Privatier ([pʀiˈvaˈtjeː], also spelled Privatus, with the feminine forms rentier, it denotes someone who does not have to work to make a living, and who lives off their assets of some size, e.g. interest, profits from investments, real estate and current assets. Sometimes, the title is used by affluent businessmen after they have wholly or largely retired from their former activity. For example, in Thomas Mann's novel Buddenbrooks, the character Alois Permaneder, a former merchant, uses this title after his marriage to Tony Buddenbrook after receiving a substantial dowry from her wealthy family, at which point he retires from business.