Ana Botín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ana Botín
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Botín in 2025
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| Born |
Ana Patricia Botín O'Shea
4 October 1960 Santander, Spain
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| Alma mater | St Mary's School Ascot Bryn Mawr College |
| Occupation | Chairman, Santander Group |
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| Spouse(s) |
Guillermo Morenés y Mariátegui
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 3 |
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Ana Patricia Botín-Sanz de Sautuola O'Shea (born October 4, 1960) is a very important Spanish banker. She has been the main leader, called the executive chairman, of a big bank group named Santander Group since 2014.
Her family has led this bank for four generations! Before becoming the main leader, she was the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Santander UK, which is the bank's branch in the United Kingdom. She held that job from December 2010 until she became chairman.
People often see her as one of the most powerful women in the world. In 2013, she was ranked the third most powerful woman in the UK. Forbes magazine also listed her as one of the top 10 most powerful women in the world in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In 2023, Forbes ranked her 18th among the world's 100 most powerful women.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ana Botín was born on October 4, 1960, in Santander, Spain. Her father, Emilio Botín, was also a famous Spanish banker who led the Grupo Santander. Her mother is Paloma O'Shea.
Ana went to high school at St Mary's School Ascot. Later, she studied economics at Bryn Mawr College in the United States.
Ana Botín's Banking Career
Ana Botín started her career at JP Morgan, a large bank in the US. She worked there from 1981 to 1988. In 1988, she came back to Spain and began working for the Santander Group.
She helped the bank grow, for example, by buying a big part of Banco Osorno y La Union in Chile in 1997. In 2002, she became the executive chairman of another Spanish bank called Banesto. In November 2010, she took over as the chief executive of Santander UK.
In 2013, Ana Botín also became a director at the Coca-Cola Company.
In September 2014, Ana Botín was chosen to be the chairman of the Santander Group. She is the fourth person from her family to hold this important position. Since she took charge, she has brought in more international leaders and focused on using new technology. She has also made the bank's teams in the US and Latin America stronger.
In February 2025, Santander announced that Ana Botín earned €13.77 million in 2024. This amount included cash, company shares, and money for her pension.
Other Important Activities
Ana Botín is involved in many other important groups and activities. In 2015, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, asked her to join his business advisory board. This board gives advice on business matters.
In 2020, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, asked Ana Botín to join a group that advises on big global challenges. In early 2021, she was appointed by the G20 to a special panel. This panel works on how to pay for global efforts to prepare for and respond to pandemics.
She also holds positions in other organizations, including:
- The Business Council, as a member.
- Mayor's Fund for London, as a trustee since 2012.
- Bilderberg Group, as a member of its steering committee.
- Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies, as a trustee.
- Fundación Albéniz, as a trustee.
- Fundación Conocimiento y Desarrollo (Fundación CYD), which she founded and leads.
- Fundación Mujeres por África, as a trustee.
- Institute of International Finance (IFF), as Chair-Elect.
- National Museum and Research Center of Altamira, as a trustee.
Awards and Recognition
Ana Botín has received several awards for her work. She was first listed by Forbes magazine in 2005. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Forbes ranked her as the eighth most powerful woman in the world.
Some of her recognitions include:
- 2015 – She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This award was for her great contributions to the British financial sector.
- 2015 – She received the FIRST Award for Responsible Capitalism.
Personal Life and Hobbies
In 1983, Ana Botín married Guillermo Morenés y Mariátegui, who is also a banker. They have three sons together.
Her family owns a large property in Ciudad Real, Spain. They also have homes in London and in the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad.
Ana Botín is a talented golfer. She was a national junior golf champion twice. She learned to play from Seve Ballesteros, a famous golfer. In 2018, she became one of the few women to be a member of the Augusta National Golf Club. She is also the aunt of Olympic medalist Diego Botín and the niece of Jaime Botín.
See also
In Spanish: Ana Botín para niños
- List of female top executives
