Michael Kuchler
10. Michael Kuchler: Worth about 7.4 billion euros, German billionaire, supermarket and pharmacy tycoon
Michael Kuchler is a German business magnate and billionaire. He amassed his fortune mainly by running a series of supermarket and pharmacy groups in Germany.
Kuchel was born in the 50s of the 20th century and grew up in Hamburg. His parents run a small grocery store. Under the influence of his parents, Kuchel developed a keen interest in business from an early age. He studied business at Hamburg Business School and Xi started his business path in the early 70s of the 20th century.
Couchell initially owned only a few small supermarkets. Through constant mergers and acquisitions and expansion, by the mid-80s, he had built a small supermarket chain group. In the early 90s, he expanded his business into the pharmacy sector, starting to acquire independent pharmacies and form a pharmacy group. After the reunification of Germany, he expanded his business to East Germany.
In the 21st century, Kuchel's business empire has grown into one of the largest supermarket chains and pharmacy groups in Germany. He has more than 1,000 locations and more than 100,000 employees throughout Germany. This places him among the richest entrepreneurs in Germany and Europe.
Now, Mike Couchell is in his 70s, but he still runs the business empire. He has two children, but the arrangements for the heirs are not clearly announced. Kuchel is considered a legend in the German business world, and his entrepreneurial history has inspired countless young entrepreneurs.
Theo Albrecht Jr.
9. Theo Albrecht Jr.: net worth of about 8.4 billion euros, heir to Aldi South supermarket
Theodor Almet is one of the heirs of the Aldi South supermarket group and one of the richest entrepreneurs in Germany and Europe. Together with his younger brother Alexander Almet, he inherited the business empire founded by his father, Theodore Almet.
Teodor Almet was born in the 50s of the 20th century, the eldest son of Theodor Almet, the founder of the Aldi South group. Together with his younger brother, he inherited the vast supermarket empire founded by his father. For many years, he has been quietly in the public eye, focusing mainly on the running of the company.
Under his leadership and his brother's leadership, Aldi South has grown into one of the world's largest discount supermarket chains, with tens of thousands of stores in many countries around the world and more than 100,000 employees. This makes the Almet brothers among the richest entrepreneurs in the world.
Today, Teodor Almet is in his 70s, but he still runs the Aldi business empire with his younger brother. They have kept a low profile and rarely made public appearances. Aldi's future plans for succession are unclear, and it is not known whether Teodore will pass the kingdom to his children.
Family Strattmann
8. Thomas and Andreas Strattmann: worth about 8.8 billion euros, owners of the pharmaceutical company Strattmann AG
Thomas and Andreas Strattmann are the owners and main heirs of the German pharmaceutical company Strattmann AG. Together, the brothers inherited and ran the company founded by their father, making it one of the largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies in the world.
The Strattmann brothers' father, also named Thomas Strattmann, founded the forerunner of Strattmann AG in 1957. The company has experienced rapid growth through continuous research and development and production of new pharmaceutical and chemical products. By the 90s of the 20th century, it had grown into one of the largest private German pharmaceutical companies.
Thomas and Andreas Strattman were involved in the management of their father's company from an early age. Both served as CEOs of the company, and after the death of their father, the brothers officially inherited ownership and control of the company.
Under the leadership of the brothers, Strattmann AG continues to maintain strong momentum. It has become a major global supplier of pharmaceutical and chemical raw materials, with operations in more than 150 countries and regions around the world, and 50,000 employees. This made the Strattmann family one of the richest entrepreneurs in Germany and all of Europe.
Today, the Strattman brothers are in their 65s, but they still hold a tight grip on the family business. They are rarely seen in public, and Strattmann AG's future succession plans are not well known. But the company's momentum remains strong.
Family Dr. Oetker
7. Familie Dr. Oetker: A combined net worth of about 9.3 billion euros
The Dress family is a wealthy German family founded on the food, pharmaceutical, and brewing giants Dr. Dreiser Company. Founded in 1891 by Dr. Richard Drys, the company has grown over generations of family members to become a globally renowned manufacturer and supplier.
Dr. Richard Dereis, a pharmacist, developed "Raisenpudding" (a fast-curing cream cake mix) at the end of the 19th century. This product was a great success and laid the foundation of Dr. Dresser Foods.
After the death of Dr. Richard Dereis, his wife and eight children took over the management of the company. Subsequent generations of family members innovated and expanded, expanding the company into winemaking, logistics, banking, and more. Today, the Dresser Group has more than 100 subsidiaries and brands, and its products are exported to the world, making it one of the largest food companies in the world.
At present, the main members of the Dereis family are already in the fourth generation. Most of them are also involved in the management and operation of the group company, and the number of people exceeds 50. According to the assessment of the German media, the total wealth of the entire Dresser family is as high as 9.3 billion euros, ranking among the richest entrepreneurs in Europe.
The Dreith family is widely regarded as a model of the German business community, and the business empire they have created and passed down over a hundred years still holds an important place in Europe and around the world.
The Oetker family
6. Hennes and the Familie Oetker family: With a combined net worth of about 9.3 billion euros, food supplier Autodesk Inc
The Hennes and Epert Ott family is the controlling shareholder of Autodesk Food Suppliers and one of the richest entrepreneurial families in Germany and all of Europe.
Autodesk was founded in 1891 by Dr. Richard Autodesk to initially produce fast-curing cream cake mixes. After 100 years of development, Autodesk has grown into a global food, brewing and logistics giant, with a number of well-known food and beverage brands under its umbrella, and its products are exported to all over the world.
Hennes Autodesk is the great-grandson of Dr. Richard Autodesk and currently the Chairman and CEO of Autodesk Corporation. Ipert Autoke, the younger brother of Henness, serves as the company's co-CEO. Together, the brothers control more than 50 percent of Autodesk's shares and voting rights.
Under the brothers' leadership, Autodesk continues to grow steadily in terms of performance and scale, becoming one of the world's largest food companies with a multi-billion euro brand value. The Autodesk family's wealth has amassed, and it is now estimated at 9.3 billion euros, making it one of the top entrepreneurs in Europe.
Hennes and Impert Autodesk are both in their fifties, but they still manage and run the family business that has been passed down for generations. Autodesk's future inheritance and development path has also attracted much attention from the outside world.
Wolfgang Group
5. Wolfgang Grupp: net worth about 9.6 billion euros, owner of the clothing company Trigema
Virg Geoshav Trapnik, founder and owner of the German clothing company Trigema, is one of the richest entrepreneurs in Germany and Europe with a net worth of around 9.6 billion euros.
Trapnik was born in 1942 to a father who ran a small textile factory. In the 60s of the 20th century, he took over from his father and founded his own company, Trigema, in 1969. After more than 50 years of development, Trigema has grown into one of the largest clothing manufacturers in Germany, mainly producing high-end sports and casual clothing, and is well-known worldwide.
As president and 100% owner of Trigema, Trapnik single-handedly created this clothing empire. As a result, he amassed a huge fortune and was widely regarded as a leading figure in the German clothing industry. Now 80 years old, he is still in charge of Trigema's day-to-day operations.
Trapnik has always pursued the business philosophy of localization in Germany and the return of manufacturing. Almost all of Trigema's products are designed and produced in Germany, which is unusual in the wave of globalization. This has earned Trapnik the reputation of "German Manufacturing Hero".
According to Trapnik's arrangement, his daughter Bonita Trapnik will inherit control of Trigema in the future. But there are questions about whether the old Trapnik will really let go, and the ability of Trigema's successor to do so. After all, this is a typical founders business.
Klaus-Michael & Alejandro Quandt
4. Klaus-Michael & Alejandro Quandt: With a combined net worth of about 14.2 billion euros, they are important shareholders of BMW
Kula and Alenia Quiandert are significant shareholders in the German automaker BMW, which directly and indirectly hold about 15 percent of the shares and have a market capitalization of about 14.2 billion euros, making them the top of the list of German billionaires.
Klaus-Michael Quandt was born in 1926, the eldest grandson of the famous industrialist Günther Quandt. Günter Quiandert was the first to invest in and support the growth of BMW AG.
Together, Kura Quiandert and his half-brother Alejandro Quandt inherited a significant stake in BMW after the death of their grandparents and fathers. As the largest single shareholder, the brothers have always been an important influence on BMW's decision-making and development.
It is worth mentioning that the Queandert family had a close relationship with the Nazi regime during World War II. This history still hangs over the head of Germany's wealthy family.
Kura Quiandert is now in his 90s, and his son, Stefan Quandt, has represented the family on the board of directors of BMW. The Quiandert family's influence on BMW continues unabated and will continue to do so through a new generation of family members.
Dieter Schwarz)
3. Dieter Schwarz: net worth about 19.9 billion euros, owner of Lidl and Kaufland supermarkets
Dietrich Schmidt-Koch is the owner of the Schwarz Group, Germany's largest supermarket chain, which owns the well-known supermarket brands Lidl and Kaufland. According to the latest estimates, his personal net worth is as high as about 19.9 billion euros, which is at the top of the list of the richest people in Germany and the world.
Schmidt-Koch was born in 1939 to a father who was a grain merchant. After taking over the family business, he became involved in the food retail industry himself. For most of the period before the '90s, Dietrich Schmidt-Koch kept a low profile in his business.
From the 90s of the 20th century, Schmidt-Koch began to rapidly accumulate wealth through chain operations and national expansion. Today, his two brands, Lidl and Kaufland, have grown into the most successful discount supermarket chains in Germany today, with tens of thousands of stores in several European countries. This has resulted in a huge fortune for Schmidt-Koch, now 83 years old.
Schmidt-Koch has maintained a very low public profile. Little is known about the low-key German retail magnate. The future of his business empire is also full of uncertainties. But the commercial power of the Schmidt-Koch empire is now a fact that all of Europe cannot ignore.
Susanne Klatten
2. Susanne Klatten: With a net worth of about 21.9 billion euros, she is the main shareholder of BMW and the owner of the chemical company Altana AG
Suzanne Krat-Mock, 50, is one of Germany's richest and most influential women entrepreneurs. She has amassed a personal fortune of around 21.9 billion euros, mainly through her stake in BMW AG and her own chemical company, Altana AG.
Suzanne is the granddaughter of the famous German industrialist Herbert Quandt. In the 60s of the last century, it was Herbert Kratt who saved BMW AG, which was on the verge of bankruptcy at that time. Today, BMW is one of the most successful luxury car brands in the world.
After the death of her grandparents, Suzanne and her brother inherited about 50% of the Klatt family's shares in BMW. She is the largest single shareholder of BMW AG today. This made her one of the richest people in Germany.
In addition to BMW, Suzanne also owns Altana AG, a specialty chemicals company. This makes her the de facto controlling owner of Altana, one of the world's largest specialty chemical companies.
Suzanne Krat-Mock lives a low-key life, rarely seen in public, but her influence in business and public causes is truly enormous. She is regarded as one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in the German business world.
Beate Heister & Karl Albrecht Jr.
1. 贝尔托·科赫(Beate Heister & Karl Albrecht Jr.):身家合计约336亿欧元,超市连锁店北Aldi的继承人
Beate Heister and Karl Albrecht Jr. Both are the main heirs of the German supermarket chain North Aldi, and they inherited the estate and equity of the late Carl Albrecht the Elder.
Together with Aldi South, Aldi North forms one of the world's largest discount supermarket chains, Aldi. Today, Aldi North has nearly 5,000 stores around the world and employs more than 75,000 people.
Carl Albrecht, along with his late brother The'o, were the founders of the North and South Aldi. However, Karl had no children, and his fortune was divided between his niece Berto Koch and the Foundation.
In addition to inheriting a large stake in his uncle Karl, Berto Koch also inherited partial ownership of North Aldi from his late father. Together with her cousin Karl Albrecht, she is now in charge of the North Aldi.
According to Bloomberg and other media estimates in recent years, Berto Koch and Karl Albrecht are currently worth a total of 33.6 billion euros. Together, they make decisions about the future direction of North Aldi.