Dietmar Hopp
Dietmar Hopp | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 26, 1940 Hoffenheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, software engineer |
| Known for | Co-founder of SAP SE, owner of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |
Dietmar Hopp (; born 26 April 1940) is a German billionaire entrepreneur and software engineer. In 1972, he co-established SAP SE alongside former IBM associates Hans Werner Hector, Klaus Tschira, Claus Wellenreuther, and Hasso Plattner. Additionally, he is the proprietor of the Bundesliga football team TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
As of September 2021, Forbes valued his fortune at approximately US$8.3 billion.
Early life and professional background
Hopp was raised in the village of Hoffenheim, located in Southern Germany's Baden Württemberg. After finishing his Abitur, he pursued telecommunications engineering studies in Karlsruhe, completing his degree in 1966. Subsequently, he worked at IBM as a software developer and consultant.
Together with four former IBM colleagues, Hopp founded SAP SE in 1972. He held the position of CEO from 1988 until 1998, then chaired the supervisory board until 2003, and stayed on the board until 2005. Upon stepping down, he maintained ownership of roughly 10% of SAP shares.
Outside his involvement with SAP, Hopp allocates investments across various enterprises and channels substantial funds through his Dietmar-Hopp-Stiftung foundation. This foundation has donated several hundred million Euros toward healthcare, education, and philanthropic initiatives within the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan area.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Hopp serves as the principal financial supporter of the German football club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, situated near his hometown where he spent part of his youth playing football.
Following a significant defeat in 1990, he began investing in his former team, which was then competing in the lowest levels of the German football league system (Kreisliga). His financial support propelled Hoffenheim to reach the third tier (Regionalliga) by the early 2000s. In 2005, Hopp substantially increased funding with the objective of achieving promotion to the Bundesliga, Germany’s premier league. His investments in players and coach Ralf Rangnick facilitated two successive promotions, culminating in Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga debut in 2008, where they have remained since.
Moreover, Hopp contributed €100 million toward constructing the 30,000-capacity Rhein-Neckar-Arena near Sinsheim.
In total, Hopp’s financial commitment to Hoffenheim surpasses €350 million.
His involvement has attracted criticism; some opponents have dubbed the club a plastic club due to its financial backing. Hopp has been targeted by hostile chants from rival supporters, incidents that have led to arrests and monetary penalties.
Personal life
Hopp is married to Anneliese Zeuner; they have two sons and reside in Walldorf, Germany. Their son Daniel Hopp (born 1980) oversees management of the SAP Arena in Mannheim, the ice hockey club Adler Mannheim, the golf club St. Leon Rot, as well as the Dietmar-Hopp-Stiftung. The other son, Oliver Hopp (born 1972), manages the golf resort Domaine de Terre Blanche located in southern France.