Despite having an estimated fortune of $260 million, Milda Mitkutė leads a more modest lifestyle than that of a billionaire. Milda steers in a very different lane—one paved with purposeful constraint and amazingly successful frugality—than the high-flying tech entrepreneurs who transform cash into yachts, helicopters, and headlines. Her wealth stems from deliberate disruption rather than excess.
When Milda was getting ready to move from her hometown to Vilnius in 2008, she ran into a real-world problem: what to do with the clothes she no longer needed? Instead of throwing them out or putting them in a box, she used a subtly groundbreaking concept. Together with her tech-savvy friend Justas Janauskas, she started a local clothing swap portal for young women. It was nearly prophetic in timing.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Milda Mitkutė |
| Nationality | Lithuanian |
| Estimated Net Worth | $260 million (2025 estimate) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Vinted |
| Notable Venture | Vinted – Online marketplace for secondhand fashion |
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Original Co-Founder | Justas Janauskas |
| Market Reach | 20+ countries, 80M+ users |
| Valuation of Vinted | Over £3.8 billion (approx. $4.8 billion USD) |
| Current Role | Co-founder (no longer in active leadership) |
| Personal Life | Married, mother of four, resides in Lithuania |
| Sustainability Focus | Family lives by strict secondhand and anti-waste practices |
| Influence in Industry | Sustainability, consumer behavior, resale economy |
| Reference |
During a financial crisis, when sustainability became more important and thrifty living became trendy, Vinted was born. The website has developed over the last 15 years into the leading marketplace for used clothing in Europe. Vinted currently operates in more than 20 countries, has over 80 million registered users, and is valued at over £3.8 billion. Such a broad reach is not only remarkable, but also highly impactful.
The way that Milda’s personal principles flow naturally into her corporate ethics is what makes her narrative so unique. She exemplifies sustainability in her daily life. For example, she has a stringent no-new-toys policy for her four kids. They must sell their old toys and use the proceeds to buy used goods, preferably from Vinted itself, if they desire anything. That policy is participatory modeling, not just parenting.
Milda has been successful in instilling environmental stewardship and financial literacy in her children’s daily thinking by establishing these unambiguous yet surprisingly reasonable norms at home. She frequently clarifies that there is no longer a need for reminders regarding excessive consumption, toilet paper use, and water wasting. That’s just how her children naturally act. Although not inflexible, this way of living has become the norm.
Her strategy appears to be especially helpful in light of growing ecological concerns and inflation. Milda has significantly enhanced the conversation by setting an example of excellence rather than luxury, even though many entrepreneurs use riches as a branding tactic. Although she may be among the wealthiest people in the world, her habits seem shockingly modest.
Platforms that support the circular economy have seen significant increases in investor confidence and visibility over the last ten years. Although rivals like Poshmark, ThredUp, and The RealReal have garnered media attention in the US, none have been able to match Vinted’s subdued domination throughout Europe. Both infrequent and regular sellers have been drawn to Vinted by its fee-free selling strategy and clear buyer safeguards.
Nearly 40% of transactions actively eliminate the need to purchase a new item, per Vinted’s most current Climate Impact Report. This means that every used purchase saves about 1.8 kg of carbon emissions. In other words, every product sold on Vinted is equivalent to taking hundreds of smartphone charges off the power grid. That’s a quantifiable, scalable environmental win, not simply a marketing statistic.
Without sacrificing its mission, Vinted has been able to broaden the reach of its platform through strategic alliances and well-timed acquisitions. Even though Milda no longer has an operational position, she is still a significant co-founder and keeps in touch with the leadership group. Her principles continue to guide the brand’s course.
Interestingly, unlike many of her predecessors, Milda has not pursued a portfolio of new firms or relied on venture financing or startup incubators after leaving day-to-day operations. Rather, she has concentrated on raising her kids and keeping up her grassroots activism for sustainability. In today’s hectic world, the deliberate choice to avoid diversifying for the sake of visibility is especially welcome.
Her modest approach is quite similar to that of businessmen like Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia, who is well-known for donating his firm to environmental causes. Profit turns become a tool rather than a prize in both situations. Even though Milda hasn’t made such a broad gesture, her restraint is nonetheless highly symbolic in a time when success is frequently associated with excess.
The epidemic caused a significant change in consumer behavior. All income levels saw an increase in secondhand buying as a result of social consciousness, tight finances, and remote work. Vinted became a lifeline for millions of people in terms of price and freedom of expression. The platform’s peer-to-peer model and user-friendly interface made it very adaptable, particularly for younger users dealing with climate fear and inflation.
Celebrities have also adopted the reselling culture. Celebrities like Olivia Wilde and Lily Collins have openly supported eco-friendly fashion, while Emma Watson’s support of ethical apparel is consistent with Vinted’s values. Despite being more subdued, Milda’s influence fits very well with this pattern. She practices rather than postures.
The emotional depth of Milda’s decisions, however, is what really sticks out. She views riches as a responsibility rather than as a destination. Her choice to continue living off of used goods in spite of her enormous wealth sends a strong message: sustainability is a luxury rather than a limitation. When she teaches her kids that lesson, it leaves a legacy that is far more valuable than any cash account.
