Otto Beisheim

Otto Beisheim (born 3 January 1924 in Essen) is a German businessman and founder of Metro AG.

In 2010, his net worth was estimated at US$3.6 billion; he is #249 on the Forbes list of billionaires.^[1]

WWII

According to journalist Michael Radtke, during World War II he served in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.^[2][3] According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Otto Beisheim Sturmmann (equivalent to corporal) in the 1 SS Panzer Division was assigned to the Bavarian Ministry of Culture, according to the Ministry, he was probably not involved in atrocities. He has never publicly explained himself.

Business

The first Metro Market, opened in November 1963 in Essen-Altenessen.

On 10 January 2004, Beisheim Center was officially opened on the northwest side of Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, built for 463 million euros, and including the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott chains.

In 2009, he sold sold 5.2% of the shares of Metro AG to various national and international investors; a further 3.1% could be sold.^[4]

Philanthropy

The WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management, in Koblenz is named for him.^[5][6][7]

References

1. ^ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_Otto-Beisheim_SEMX.html?partner=contextstory
2. ^ http://redblog.twoday.net/stories/1187584/
3. ^ http://blogs.taz.de/schroederkalender/2006/08/22/otto-beisheim-kundigt-immer-fristlos/
4. ^ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/otto-beisheim-sells-52-stake-in-metro-ag-2009-10-07
5. ^ http://www.whu.edu/cms/index.php?id=433
6. ^ http://www.topuniversities.com/university/322/whu-otto-beisheim-school-of-management---koblenz
7. ^ http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/kelloggwhu-otto-beisheim-school

This article incorporates information from the revision as of 5 March 2010 of the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.

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Name	Beisheim, Otto
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Date of birth	3 January 1924
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