Germany is home to some of the wealthiest families in the world, with fortunes derived from various industries such as retail, logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology. According to Forbes, as of February 2023, the richest family in Germany is the Schwarz family, who own the Schwarz Gruppe, which operates the supermarket chains Lidl and Kaufland. The family's patriarch, Dieter Schwarz, has an estimated net worth of $39 billion, making him the 11th richest person in the world. He is followed by his son Johannes Schwarz, who oversees the international expansion of Lidl, and his daughter Katharina Schwarz, who is involved in the family's philanthropic activities.
The second richest family in Germany is the Kuehne family, who owns the majority stake in Kuehne + Nagel, one of the world's largest logistics companies. The family's fortune is mainly attributed to Klaus-Michael Kuehne, who transformed his grandfather's small freight forwarding business into a global leader in supply chain solutions. He has a net worth of $36.8 billion, ranking him 12th in the world. He is also a prominent supporter of sports and culture, owning a stake in the German soccer club Hamburger SV and donating to various museums and universities.
The third richest family in Germany is the Quandt-Klatten family, who inherited a large stake in BMW, one of the world's leading luxury car makers. The family's wealth is split between siblings Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten, who have a combined net worth of $52.5 billion. Stefan Quandt is the chairman of BMW and owns stakes in other companies such as Daimler and Deutsche Bank. Susanne Klatten is the richest woman in Germany and has investments in chemical company Altana, wind turbine maker Nordex, carbon fiber producer SGL Carbon, and biotech firm BioNTech.
Other notable wealthy families in Germany include the Albrecht family, who founded and own the discount grocery store chain Aldi; the Wuerth family, who own the fastener and tool manufacturer Würth Group; the Schaeffler family, who own the automotive supplier Schaeffler Group; and the Otto family, who own the e-commerce giant Otto Group.
Schwarz Family – The Richest Family in Germany
Among the above families, the Schwarz family stands out as the wealthiest, with a legacy deeply embedded in the retail sector. Let's explore the rise and influence of the Schwarz family, whose wealth is primarily associated with their ownership of the global retail giant, Schwarz Group.
The Schwarz Family Origins
The Schwarz family is the richest family in Germany, with a net worth of over 40 billion euros. The family owns the Schwarz Group, which operates the Lidl and Kaufland supermarket chains. The Schwarz Group is the fourth-largest retailer in the world by revenue and has over 12,000 stores in 32 countries.
The founder of the Schwarz Group was Josef Schwarz, who was born in 1909 in Heilbronn, Germany. He started his career as a fruit wholesaler and later expanded into other food products. In 1930, he joined the Südfrüchte Großhandlung Lidl & Co., a fruit company owned by his father-in-law, Ludwig Lidl. He became a partner in the company in 1938 and renamed it Lidl & Schwarz KG.
After World War II, Josef Schwarz rebuilt his business from scratch, as most of his assets were destroyed or confiscated by the Allies. He diversified into general merchandise and opened his first self-service store in 1954. He also acquired a chain of department stores called Handelshof, which he converted into hypermarkets under the name Kaufland.
Josef Schwarz died in 1977, and his son Dieter Schwarz inherited the business. Dieter Schwarz continued to grow the company and launched the Lidl discount store concept in 1973. He also expanded internationally, starting with France in 1988. Dieter Schwarz is known for being very secretive and media-shy, and rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances. He is also one of the most generous philanthropists in Germany, donating millions of euros to education, science, culture, and social causes.
The Schwarz family is very private and low-profile and does not disclose much information about their personal lives or wealth. Dieter Schwarz has two children, Klaus and Katharina, who are both involved in the family business. Klaus is the CEO of the Schwarz Group, while Katharina is a board member and a shareholder. The family lives in Neckarsulm, Germany, where the headquarters of the Schwarz Group are located.
Lidl and Kaufland
The cornerstone of the Schwarz family's wealth is the discount supermarket chain Lidl. Under Dieter Schwarz's leadership, Lidl expanded aggressively, offering a wide range of products at competitive prices. The concept resonated with consumers, and Lidl rapidly grew into an international retail powerhouse with a presence in numerous countries worldwide. In addition to Lidl, the Schwarz family controls Kaufland, a hypermarket chain. Kaufland's extensive product offerings, including groceries, electronics, and household goods, have contributed significantly to the family's wealth.
The Schwarz family started as a wholesale fruit and vegetable business in the 1930s and expanded into retail in the 1970s with the launch of Lidl, a discount store concept. Kaufland followed in the 1980s, offering a wider range of products and services. Today, Lidl and Kaufland operate in more than 30 countries across Europe and beyond, with over 12,000 stores and 500,000 employees. The combination of Lidl and Kaufland's success has solidified the Schwarz Group's status as a major player in the global retail industry.
Dieter Schwarz's Leadership
Dieter Schwarz's leadership style has been instrumental in the family's success. Known for his low-profile approach, he is notoriously private and rarely gives interviews. Despite this, his strategic vision and focus on efficiency have propelled the Schwarz Group to new heights. Dieter's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and his commitment to providing value to customers have been key factors in the family's enduring success.
Dieter Schwarz is known for his leadership style, which is based on trust, empowerment, and innovation. He rarely makes public appearances, preferring to focus on his business and philanthropic activities. He has created a culture of excellence and customer satisfaction in his company, which operates under the brands Lidl and Kaufland.
Dieter believes that the success of his company depends on the quality and motivation of his employees, whom he treats as partners rather than subordinates. He encourages them to take initiative, learn from mistakes, and share their ideas. He also invests heavily in training, development, and social benefits for his staff.
He is not afraid to challenge the status quo and experiment with new concepts and technologies. He has expanded his business into new markets and segments, such as e-commerce, organic products, and green energy. He has also supported various social and environmental causes, such as education, health, and sustainability. Dieter Schwarz is an example of a visionary leader who has built a global empire based on his values and principles.
Family Succession
As Dieter approaches his 84th birthday, questions arise about who will succeed him as the leader of the family and the business. Dieter has two children, Klaus and Katharina, who are both involved in the company but have different roles and interests. Klaus is the chairman of the Schwarz Foundation, which oversees the charitable activities of the family and holds a majority stake in the Schwarz Group. Katharina is the deputy chairwoman of Lidl Stiftung, which manages Lidl's operations and strategy.
While both Klaus and Katharina are respected and experienced executives, they have different visions for the future of the company and the family. Klaus is more conservative and traditional, preferring to maintain the status quo and focus on the core business of retail. Katharina is more innovative and ambitious, wanting to explore new opportunities and markets for growth and diversification. The siblings also have different personalities and values, which sometimes create tensions and conflicts within the family.
The succession issue is not only a matter of family dynamics but also of strategic importance for the company and its stakeholders. The Schwarz Group faces many challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing and competitive global market, such as digitalization, sustainability, regulation, customer preferences, and competition. The next leader of the family and the business will have to make crucial decisions that will shape the future of the company and its impact on society.
The Schwarz family succession is therefore one of the most anticipated and important events in the world of business and beyond. It will determine not only who will inherit one of the largest fortunes in the world, but also who will steer one of the most powerful and influential corporations in the world.
Global Impact and Philanthropy
The Schwarz family's influence extends beyond the retail sector. Through the Schwarz Foundation, they engage in philanthropic endeavors, focusing on education, social welfare, and cultural initiatives. This commitment to giving back reflects a recognition of their responsibility as custodians of vast wealth and influence.
The Schwarz Foundation is the family's main vehicle for philanthropy. The foundation focuses on four areas: environment, education, health, and culture. The foundation also runs several programs and awards that recognize and support outstanding individuals and organizations in these fields.
Final Thoughts
The Schwarz family's journey from a small grocery store in Heilbronn to heading the largest retail group in Europe is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. As the family navigates the complexities of the global market, their commitment to innovation, efficiency, and social responsibility positions them as not only leaders in the business world but also stewards of a legacy that has left an indelible mark on Germany's economic landscape. The Schwarz family's continued success will undoubtedly be closely watched, as they uphold their status as the richest family in Germany.
See more: The Secret Lives of German Billionaires