Susanne Klatten: BMW Heiress and Entrepreneur
The name Susanne Klatten likely conjures up images of vast amounts of wealth and success. As the heiress to the BMW Group, there’s no denying that she has enjoyed vast amounts of financial security and has even used her inheritance to further her own entrepreneurial pursuits. But beyond that, there’s a lot more to Susanne Klatten than meets the eye. A successful businesswoman and philanthropist, she’s a force to be reckoned with, not just in Germany but on the global stage as well. Here’s a closer look at all that Susanne Klatten has achieved in her career.
Early Life of Susanne Klatten
Susanne Klatten, born in 1962, was the only child of Herbert and Johanna Quandt. Dubbed Germany’s wealthiest family and known for their continued investment in the BMW Group, they were worth an estimated $13 billion and passed away in 1982 and 2015 respectively. Growing up, Susanne attended the Schloss Salem and Reinhein University of Cooperative Education in Mannheim and moved on to the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom before earning her M.B.A. In International Business Administration from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
Successful Business Ventures Undertaken By Susanne Klatten
From a young age, Susanne Klatten has made it her mission to use her fortune to further her own entrepreneurial pursuits. Here are a few of her more successful business ventures:
• Avista Oil: Founded in 1992 by Susanne Klatten, Avista Oil is a lubricants business that specializes in lubricants for vehicles and machines. Avista operates in more than 130 countries and produces around 500 different lubricant products.
• Norddeutsche Affinerie (The Northern German Refinery): The company, acquired by Susanne Klatten in 2000, was founded by her grandfather in 1903 and is the largest copper producer in Europe. It also refines both zinc and lead.
• ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg: This company, founded in 2004, specializes in vehicle testing, developing, and testing services for the automotive industry.
• SGL Group: Acquired by Susanne Klatten in 2012, the SGL Group is a carbon and graphite business that produces a variety of different products for the automotive and aerospace industries.
Philanthropic Pursuits of Susanne Klatten
In addition to her business ventures, Susanne Klatten has also made it her mission to give back to society. Here are some of her philanthropic pursuits over the years:
• The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union: After serving as president of the group from 2010 to 2014, Klatten funded the construction of a new office.
• The Klatten Foundation: Founded in 2007 by Susanne Klatten, this foundation works to support scientific research, social initiatives, and cultural projects.
• The Ludwig Bölkow Foundation: In 2011, Klatten supported this organization, which serves to promote science, technology, research and development, and academic education.
• The Fullife Foundation: Founded in 2002, this foundation is dedicated to educating women and girls about sexual health and provides assistance to people in rural areas in Africa, in particular.
From her impressive business ventures to her philanthropic pursuits, there’s no denying the impact that Susanne Klatten has had on the world. But beyond her success and fortune, Klatten is also an inspiring example of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication. Here’s to wishing her many more years filled with success and giving.
