Susanne Klatten is a German billionaire, entrepreneur, and the richest woman in Germany. She is the daughter of Herbert and Johanna Quandt. Through her mother, she inherited 50.1% of automaker BMW. With her net worth estimated at $22 billion as of 2018, she is considered the richest German family member as well as the overall richest woman in Germany.
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Biography
Susanne Klatten was born on April 28th, 1962 in Bad Homburg, Germany. Her father was a German industrialist who founded Altana, which became one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Germany. Growing up, Susanne helped manage her mother’s investment portfolio and developed an interest in business as a result. After high school, she went on to attend the University of Munich and studied economics.
Education
Susanne Klatten completed her bachelor’s degree program at the University of Munich and then obtained her MBA from the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD). She graduated with honors from both institutions. Following her education, Klatten immediately began working for Altana AG.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Susanne Klatten’s net worth is estimated to be $24 billion, which makes her one of the richest women in the world. Her fortune comes mainly from her ownership of BMW (19.2%) and a pharmaceutical and specialty chemical company called Altana that she inherited from her father.
Business Career
BMW: Susanne Klatten owns 19.2% of BMW, while her brother Stefan Quandt owns 23.7%. The two siblings together control almost half of the company, which under their leadership has become one of the top luxury car lines in the world.
Altana: She made it essential for her family’s business, Altana (a pharmaceutical and chemical corporation), to go global. In 2006, she sold off Altana’s pharmaceutical division for billions and reinvested the money into strengthening its chemical business.
Other Investments: Klatten also invests in renewable energy, startups, and other industries, which make her a woman with an increased financial portfolio.
Philanthropy and Foundation
Klatten is credited with numerous philanthropic activities through her foundation, the SKala Initiative. The foundation works for social and cultural causes in Germany and helps the organizations working in domains including education, environmental protection and healthcare.
Personal Life
Susanne Klatten was married to Jan Klatten, with whom she has three children. The couple divorced in 2018. Despite her wealth and high-profile business ventures, she is known for her privacy and prefers to stay out of the media spotlight.
Children and Family
Three of her children inherited stakes in companies; her son and daughter own substantial holdings in carmaker BMW, and another son owns a 50% stake in pharmaceuticals company Altana.
Susanne Klatten is presumed to enjoy living a comfortable lifestyle with her family, but details about her properties, cars and other assets have not been made public.
FAQs
What is the main source of Susanne Klatten’s wealth?
Susanne Klatten’s wealth comes mainly from her 19.2% stake in BMW and her investments in the pharmaceutical company Altana. She has also expanded her portfolio into renewable energy and other sectors.
