Karl Albrecht
Fashion and Retail

Karl Albrecht Net Worth

Karl Albrecht was a German billionaire who, after returning from World War II, took over his mother's small corner store and, with his brother Theo, expanded it into a chain of Aldi supermarkets. Karl and Theo split the business in 1961, with Karl taking the storefronts in southern Germany and the rights to America, Australia and Britain. His frugal mindset and business acumen saw Aldi expand to more than 1,300 stores in the U.S. and another 3,500 in eight other countries. Karl passed away in July 2014 at age 94, leaving behind a legacy as the richest person in Germany.
Karl Albrecht is a member of Fashion and Retail

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Day February 20, 1920
Birth Place Germany
Age 100 YEARS OLD
Died On 16 July 2014(2014-07-16) (aged 94)\nEssen, Germany
Birth Sign Pisces
Occupation Entrepreneur
Known for Co-founder of Aldi
Spouse(s) Mia Tenbrink (*1923; †2013)
Children Karl Albrecht Jr. Beate Heister
Relatives Theo Albrecht (brother) Theo Albrecht Jr. (nephew) Berthold Albrecht (nephew)

💰 Net worth: $25 Billion (2024)

Karl Albrecht, a renowned figure in the fashion and retail industry in Germany, is expected to have amassed an impressive net worth of $25 billion by 2024. With his unmatched business acumen and relentless entrepreneurial spirit, Albrecht has made a significant impact on the fashion and retail landscape. Known for co-founding the Aldi supermarket chain, Albrecht has built a remarkable empire that has expanded globally, solidifying his position as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. His exceptional success highlights his unparalleled expertise in the industry and firmly establishes Karl Albrecht as an influential and accomplished figure in the fashion and retail world.

2010 $23.5 Billion
2011 $25.5 Billion
2012 $25.4 Billion
2013 $26 Billion
2014 $25 Billion
2018 $25 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1961

Karl and Theo Albrecht were born and raised in a Catholic family in modest circumstances in Essen, Germany. Their Father, Karl Sr, was employed as a miner and later as a baker's assistant. Their mother Anna, née Siepmann, had a small grocery store in the worker's quarter of Schonnebeck (de), a suburb of Essen. Theo completed an apprenticeship in his mother's store, while Karl worked in a delicatessen shop. Karl served in the Wehrmacht during World War II and was wounded on the Eastern Front. After the war, the brothers jointly took over their mother's Business and founded Albrecht KG. They separated that company in 1961 into Aldi Nord, covering the part of Germany north of the Ruhr under Theo Albrecht, and Aldi Süd under Karl. The first Aldi (short for Albrecht Discount) was opened in 1962.

1976

Karl Albrecht was a very reclusive man who had not taken part in public life for several years prior to his death. As a result, little is known about him. Forbes magazine reported that he had two children, neither of whom was employed by Aldi. He reportedly lived in Essen, as did his brother Theo until the latter's death. Golf was one of his hobbies, and Albrecht played the sport on his own golf course, the Öschberghof, which he built in 1976. He also raised orchids.

1994

In 1994, Karl Albrecht removed himself from the daily operations of Aldi Süd and took the position of chairman of the board until 2002. At the beginning of 2002, he also relinquished this position, thereby completely ceding control of the firm. Today, the Business is no longer run by any of Karl Albrecht's family members.

2014

In 2014, Albrecht was listed as one of the richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of US$23.14 billion. Previously, Forbes magazine listed him as one of the richest men in the world, with an estimated net worth in 2011 of US$25.4 billion, which ranked him 10th in its 2012 list of billionaires – making him the oldest Billionaire in the Top 20 list. Albrecht was the richest person in Germany, and the fourth-richest in Europe.

Some Karl Albrecht images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.