Américo Amorim
Américo Ferreira Amorim | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Mozelos, Portugal |
| Died | July 13, 2017 (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | 50% ownership in Corticeira Amorim; chairman of Galp Energia |
| Notable work | Co-founder of Banco Internacional de Credito (BIC) |
Américo Ferreira Amorim (21 July 1934 – 13 July 2017) was a Portuguese entrepreneur and billionaire, holding a 50% ownership in Corticeira Amorim, the leading global cork manufacturing company established by his grandfather. At the time of his passing, he was recognized as Portugal's wealthiest individual, with an estimated net worth of $4.8 billion.
Early life
Amorim was born in 1934 in Mozelos, as the fifth child among eight siblings in a family of modest means.
Career
He possessed half of the shares in Corticeira Amorim, which achieved revenues of approximately $650 million. His business portfolio also included ventures in the financial and energy sectors. In 2005, alongside Isabel dos Santos, he co-established Angola's Banco Internacional de Credito (BIC). The Portuguese branch, Banco BIC Portugal, began operating in Lisbon in 2008 with a similar ownership framework to its Angolan counterpart and was rebranded as EuroBic in 2017. By that year, BIC Angola had become the fourth largest bank in Angola. Amorim divested his interest in BIC to dos Santos in 2014. His most significant investment was an 18% equity stake in Galp Energia, where he held the chairman position until October 2016 before handing over leadership to his daughter Paula.
Personal life
He was married to Maria Fernanda de Oliveira Ramos and fathered three daughters, among them Paula Amorim. The family lived in Grijó. Amorim died on 13 July 2017.