Karl Wlaschek
Karl Wlaschek | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Vienna, Austria |
| Died | May 31, 2015 (aged 97) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Billa supermarket chain |
Karl Wlaschek (4 August 1917 – 31 May 2015) established the Austrian supermarket chain Billa. As reported by Trend magazine, he ranked among the top five wealthiest individuals in Austria. In 1996, he divested Billa for EUR 1.1 billion.
Early life
Wlaschek pursued chemistry studies at TU Wien until his conscription in 1938, after which he served in military campaigns in France and the Soviet Union. Following World War II, he performed as a pianist and led a band under the stage name "Charly Walker." He aimed to open a dance café but was hindered by limited capital.
Career
In 1953, Wlaschek inaugurated a perfumery located in Vienna’s Margareten district, specializing in discounted branded products. His enterprise, Warenhandel Karl Wlaschek (WKW), grew to encompass 45 outlets by 1960. The subsequent year, he adapted this discount retail approach to groceries with the launch of self-service stores branded BILLA ("Billiger Laden" – "Cheap Shop").
Throughout the 1990s, BILLA extended its reach internationally under the name Eurobilla. In 1996, Wlaschek sold the company to Germany’s REWE Group for EUR 1.1 billion. This acquisition was promptly authorized by the European Commission.
After failing to acquire Austria's Creditanstalt during privatization efforts, Wlaschek concentrated on real estate investments. His extensive portfolio included eight historic palaces in central Vienna—among them Palais Kinsky, Palais Ferstel, and Palais Harrach—as well as landmark properties such as the Andromeda Tower, Ares Tower in Donau City, and the former Vienna Stock Exchange building.
In 2015, Forbes valued his fortune at approximately USD 4.2 billion.
Personal life
Residing in Vienna, Wlaschek was married to his fifth wife since 2012 and fathered two children. An authorized biography was released in 2005 by Adolf Haslinger, former rector of the University of Salzburg and longtime acquaintance.
Awards and honors
- 1989: Golden Decoration of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna
- 1993: Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria
- 1997: "Man of the Year" Award from trend magazine
- 2004: Gold Medal of Honor from the City of Vienna
- 2008: Grand Decoration of Honor in Silver with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria
Further reading
- Adolf Haslinger: Karl Wlaschek. Eine Erfolgsgeschichte. Niederösterreichisches Pressehaus, 2005, ISBN 978-3-85326-388-4
- Georg Wailand: Die Reichen und die Superreichen in Österreich. Hoffmann und Campe, 1982, ISBN 3-455-08948-8