Günther Fielmann
Günther Fielmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939-09-17 |
| Died | 2024-01-03 |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder, principal shareholder, and CEO of Fielmann |
| Notable work | Founder of Fielmann eyewear retail company |
Günther Klaus Fielmann (17 September 1939 – 3 January 2024) was a German billionaire entrepreneur, recognized as the founder, principal shareholder, and CEO of Fielmann, a prominent German eyewear retailer. At the time of his passing, his fortune was valued at approximately US$4.6 billion. Beginning in 2019, leadership of the Fielmann Group was fully transferred to his son, Marc Fielmann.
Early life
Günther was born in 1939 to Dr. Wilhelm and Marie-Louise Fielmann. Although initially interested in photography, he followed his father’s guidance and pursued training in optometry, starting an apprenticeship in 1956. By 1965, he had earned certification as both an optometrist and a master optometrist.
Career
Fielmann launched his inaugural store in Cuxhaven in 1972. His groundbreaking move in 1981 revolutionized Germany’s eyewear industry by introducing 90 stylish frame options covered under statutory health insurance, replacing the previous restriction to six frame models. This shift helped remove the negative perception associated with wearing glasses and propelled rapid expansion through positive media coverage and dynamic marketing strategies. By 1982, a new outlet in Kiel offered more than 7,000 frames. The company transitioned from Fielmann KG to Fielmann AG and went public in 1994.
In 2002, he purchased and restored Plön Castle, which has functioned as an optometry training center since 2003. Starting from 2005–06, bachelor's and master's programs in optometry have been available through collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences Lübeck.
Personal life
In 1988, Fielmann married Heike Fielmann (née Eggert; born 1968), who was nearly three decades younger; they divorced in 2000. The couple had two children:
- Marc Fielmann (born 1989), current CEO of Fielmann
- Sophie-Louise Fielmann (born 1994)
Günther Fielmann passed away at age 84 in Lütjensee on 4 January 2024.
Other activities
Each year, Fielmann planted a tree for every employee, culminating in the planting of the one-millionth tree in May 2009 alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister President Peter Harry Carstensen.
He was also engaged in organic farming, owning multiple estates including the expansive Schierensee manor (1,600 hectares) and Marutendorf manor (470 hectares) located in Achterwehr. His agricultural ventures produced organic goods marketed under the Hof Lütjensee label.
Awards
Among his honors, Fielmann received the Federal Cross of Merit First Class from Schleswig-Holstein in 2000 and was appointed honorary professor in 2002. He earned the "Deutscher Gründerpreis" award in 2003 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Kiel in 2004. In 2011, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of manager magazin.