Peet Viljoen is one of South Africa’s most talked-about public figures — a man who rose from the farms of South Africa to become Pretoria’s most celebrated celebrity lawyer, only to lose it all and reinvent himself as a businessman. Peet Viljoen net worth is estimated in the multi-millions of rands, built through a combination of legal earnings, business ventures, and entrepreneurship. From luxury estates and Ferraris to fraud charges and international controversy, his story is one of remarkable highs and dramatic lows.
Peet Viljoen grew up in South Africa with a strong drive to pursue a career in law from a young age. As a teenager, he was resolute about becoming an attorney, a goal he worked toward with focus and determination. He enrolled at the University of Pretoria, where he studied towards a B.Proc (Bachelor of Procedure) degree. He graduated in 1994 and, after completing his articles of clerkship, was formally admitted as an attorney in 1995.
His early upbringing, though not extensively documented in public records, is described as modest — a journey from rural roots to the corridors of Pretoria’s top law firms. That contrast between his humble beginnings and later extravagant lifestyle became a defining thread throughout his public story.
Career: From Celebrity Lawyer to Entrepreneur
The Rise as Pretoria’s Hotshot Attorney
After being admitted to the bar in 1995, Peet Viljoen built a formidable reputation over the following decade and a half. He became popularly known as a “celebrity lawyer” — a title that suited both his high-profile clientele and his flashy lifestyle.
Key highlights of his legal career include:
Represented A-list South African celebrities including Joost van der Westhuizen, James Dalton, and Steve Hofmeyr
Built a thriving law practice in Pretoria that made him a household name in legal circles
Drove a Ferrari and lived in exclusive golf estates — symbols of the enormous wealth he accumulated
Was considered one of the most well-connected attorneys in Gauteng
The Disbarment and Legal Troubles
Peet Viljoen’s glittering legal career came to a crashing halt in September 2011 when two Pretoria High Court judges struck his name from the roll of practising attorneys. The Law Society of the Northern Provinces had found him guilty of “unprofessional, dishonourable and inappropriate behaviour” and declared he was “not a fit and proper person” to practise law.
He was also linked to a major fraud case involving the alleged fraudulent sales of Johannesburg metropolitan land, and he was arrested by the Hawks in August 2010, spending seven nights in custody before being granted bail. Court records on the South African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII) website show he was among seven accused facing 399 charges, including fraud, forgery, uttering, and corruption.
Life After the Law: Tammy Taylor Nails SA
Following his disbarment, Viljoen pivoted to the beauty and cosmetics industry. Together with his wife Melany, he became a co-owner and served as CEO of Tammy Taylor Nails SA — a luxury nail brand that attracted a high-profile clientele including Somizi, Pearl Thusi, DJ Zinhle, and Lerato Kganyago. The brand grew significantly under their management, though it too became embroiled in controversy when franchisees alleged they had been given a raw deal and were “bullied” out of the business.
Peet Viljoen Net Worth
Estimated Wealth
Peet Viljoen’s exact financial position has never been publicly confirmed, but multiple estimates and lifestyle indicators paint a picture of significant, if complicated, wealth.
Source
Estimated Net Worth
South African business and investment estimates
R2 billion – R3 billion (per Quick Read Magazine)
Global entrepreneurship estimate
Approximately $10 million USD
General consensus across South African media
Multi-million rand range (unconfirmed)
Sources of Wealth
Legal Career: Viljoen himself has acknowledged accumulating millions of rands during his years as an attorney, representing high-net-worth clients at premium rates.
Tammy Taylor Nails SA: As co-owner and CEO of the luxury nail brand, he earned executive income and shared in the business’s profits.
Real Estate: The couple lived in Silver Lakes Estate and later Woodhill Estate — two of Pretoria’s most exclusive and expensive residential addresses.
Business Investments: Reports indicate involvement in various business and investment activities across multiple sectors.
Lifestyle Indicators
Owned and drove a Ferrari (spotted in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria)
Resided in Woodhill Estate, Pretoria East — one of the city’s most sought-after gated communities
Maintained a visible luxury lifestyle that included designer brands and upscale social circles
Despite this, Viljoen has faced sequestration proceedings, and his financial fortunes have clearly fluctuated dramatically in tandem with his legal battles.
Peet Viljoen’s Wife – Melany “Mel” Viljoen
Peet Viljoen is currently married to Melany “Mel” Viljoen (née unknown), a businesswoman and reality television personality who became a household name in South Africa after appearing as a primary cast member on The Real Housewives van Pretoria (RHOPTA), which premiered on kykNET in October 2022.
Detail
Information
Wife’s Name
Melany “Mel” Viljoen
Age (as of 2026)
39 years old
Profession
Co-owner, Tammy Taylor Nails SA; Reality TV personality
TV Appearances
The Real Housewives van Pretoria (RHOPTA), Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip
Years Married
Approximately 7+ years (as stated on the show)
Children Together
None
Mel has described their marriage publicly, stating: “I have been married to Peet for seven years but we’ve obviously been together a little longer than that.” The couple co-founded and co-owned Tammy Taylor Nails SA together, making their personal and professional lives deeply intertwined.
The Ex-Wife
Peet Viljoen was previously married before his relationship with Mel. However, the identity of his first wife has not been publicly disclosed. She has remained entirely out of the public eye, and neither Peet nor Mel has spoken about her in detail in any interviews or on their reality television appearances. What is confirmed is that Peet has three children from this previous relationship.
Peet Viljoen’s Children
Peet Viljoen is a father of three children, all from his previous relationship or marriage before Mel.
Key facts about his children:
He has three children from a former relationship
Their names and ages have not been publicly disclosed
Peet and his current wife Mel do not share any children together
The topic of children was raised on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa, where cast members alleged that Peet denied Mel the opportunity to become a mother
Peet has pushed back against characterisations made about him on the show, denying the abuse allegations
The children have been deliberately kept out of the public spotlight, with no photographs or personal details shared by either parent in media appearances.
Controversies
Peet Viljoen’s life has been punctuated by a series of major controversies:
Disbarment (2011): Struck from the roll of practising attorneys for unprofessional conduct, with fraud-related criminal charges also pursued.
Tammy Taylor Nails Franchise Dispute: Franchisees alleged they lost thousands and were treated poorly by the Viljoens, leading to a Carte Blanche investigation.
US Trademark Ruling (2025): A US District Court ruled that the Viljoens had infringed on Tammy Taylor’s registered trademarks and breached their licence agreement, ordering them to pay R71 million in statutory damages.
Relocation to the United States (2025): The couple left South Africa in early 2025 amid mounting legal pressure.
Florida Shoplifting Arrest (March 2026): The couple was arrested in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida, after allegedly conducting a months-long ticket-switching scheme at a Publix supermarket. They faced felony charges of aggravated retail theft and were placed in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody.
Physical Appearance and Age
Detail
Information
Age
57 years old (as of 2026)
Nationality
South African
Ethnicity
Afrikaner
Known for
Celebrity lawyer, beauty industry entrepreneur, reality TV figure
Social Media
Peet Viljoen has maintained a relatively low social media profile directly, though much of the couple’s public presence has been channelled through Mel Viljoen’s social media platforms, particularly Instagram. During their time in the United States, both were active on social media, with Mel notably endorsing US President Donald Trump and making posts that drew significant public attention in South Africa.
Peet Viljoen’s story is a striking tale of reinvention, resilience, and controversy. He built himself up from a determined law student into one of Pretoria’s most feared and celebrated attorneys, accumulated extraordinary wealth, and lived a life of visible luxury. His fall from legal grace in 2011 did not end his story — he pivoted into business, rebuilt a public profile through his wife’s reality television fame, and continued operating at a high level. However, his legal troubles have followed him across continents, culminating in criminal proceedings in the United States in 2026. Whatever the outcome of his current legal battles, Peet Viljoen remains one of South Africa’s most compelling and polarising public figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peet Viljoen’s net worth?
Peet Viljoen’s net worth is estimated to be in the multi-millions of rands, with some estimates ranging between R2 billion and R3 billion based on his assets and business activities, though this has never been officially confirmed.
How old is Peet Viljoen?
Peet Viljoen is 57 years old as of 2026.
Who is Peet Viljoen’s wife?
His current wife is Melany “Mel” Viljoen, a businesswoman and star of The Real Housewives van Pretoria.
Who is Peet Viljoen’s ex-wife?
Peet Viljoen’s ex-wife has not been publicly identified. Her identity has been kept entirely private.
How many children does Peet Viljoen have?
He has three children from a previous relationship. He and his current wife Mel do not have children together.
Why was Peet Viljoen disbarred?
He was disbarred in September 2011 after being found guilty of unprofessional, dishonourable and inappropriate behaviour by the Law Society of the Northern Provinces. He was also linked to fraud charges involving Johannesburg metropolitan land transactions.
Where is Peet Viljoen now?
As of 2026, Peet and Mel Viljoen are in the United States, where they are facing felony retail theft charges in Florida and are reported to be in ICE custody pending court proceedings.
