Anton Rupert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anton Rupert
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| Born | 4 October 1916 Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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| Died | 18 January 2006 (aged 89) Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
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| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | University of Pretoria |
| Occupation | Businessman, conservationist, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Huberte Goote |
| Children | 3 (including Johann) |
Anthony Edward Rupert (born 4 October 1916 – died 18 January 2006) was a famous South African businessman. He was also known for his kindness (a philanthropist) and for protecting nature (a conservationist).
Anton Rupert was born and grew up in a small town called Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. He went to university in Pretoria. Later, he moved to Stellenbosch, where he started his big company, the Rembrandt Group. This company's main office is still in Stellenbosch today. He passed away peacefully at home when he was 89 years old.
Contents
Anton Rupert's Early Life and Dreams
Anton Rupert first started studying to become a doctor. But he had to stop because he didn't have enough money. Instead, he earned a chemistry degree from the University of Pretoria. For a short time, he even taught there! After that, he began a dry-cleaning business.
How a Garage Became a Business Empire
Later, Anton Rupert had a new idea. With only £10 (about R200 at the time) and two friends, he started making cigarettes in his garage. This small start grew into a huge company called the Rembrandt Group. It became a big business that made tobacco products and other goods.
Over time, the Rembrandt Group changed. It started focusing on industrial products and fancy luxury items. Eventually, the company split into two main parts:
- Remgro: This company invests in many different areas. These include money, mining, and other industries.
- Richemont: This is a Swiss company that sells luxury goods. Think of expensive watches and jewellery!
Today, this business empire has hundreds of companies. They are in 35 countries across six continents. Together, they make about US$10 billion in sales each year.
Helping People and Nature
Anton Rupert cared a lot about protecting the environment. His companies also gave a lot of money to support the arts. Since 1964, special foundations started by Rembrandt have used some of the company's profits. They use this money to help with education, art, music, and saving old, important buildings.
He also played a big part in the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) in South Africa. This group helps small and medium-sized businesses get loans. Since 1981, their loans have helped create almost half a million jobs!
Anton Rupert's Amazing Business Journey
In 1939, Anton Rupert started a tobacco company called "Voorbrand Tobacco Company." At first, they made snuff. Soon, he changed the name to Rembrandt Ltd. In 1972, all of Rembrandt's tobacco businesses outside South Africa joined together to form Rothmans International.
Building a Luxury Goods Giant
In 1988, the Rembrandt group created a Swiss company called Richemont. This company bought Rembrandt's shares in Rothmans. Richemont also owns many famous luxury brands, such as:
- Cartier (known for beautiful jewellery)
- Alfred Dunhill and Sulka (designer clothes)
- Seeger (fancy leather bags)
- Piaget, Baume & Mercier, and Vacheron Constantin (expensive Swiss watches)
- Montblanc (high-quality pens)
In 1995, Rembrandt and Richemont combined their tobacco businesses into Rothmans International. At that time, it was the fourth-largest cigarette maker in the world.
Later, in 1999, Rothmans International joined with British American Tobacco (BAT). BAT was the second-largest cigarette producer globally. Before they separated their shares, Remgro owned 10% of BAT, and Richemont owned 18.6%.
The Rupert Family Legacy Continues
Anton Rupert's oldest son, Johann Rupert, is now in charge. He is the CEO of Richemont and the chairman of Remgro.
The Rupert family is also very involved in South Africa's wine and liquor industry. They own the L'Ormarins and La Motte wine farms. They also have a share in Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. This is a wine-making partnership between the Rupert and Rothschild families. Anton's youngest son, Anthonij, was head of Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons before he sadly passed away in a car crash in 2001.
The Ruperts also partly control two of South Africa's biggest wine sellers. These are Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) and Distillers Corporation. Together, they make one out of every six bottles of wine in South Africa. They also produce almost 80% of the country's brandy. These two companies have now joined to become Distell Group Limited.
Among other things, the Rupert Group also owns South Africa's second-largest group of private hospitals. This is the Medi-Clinic Corporation, which has 5,500 beds.
Anton Rupert's business career lasted over sixty years. He started his global business with just £10 in 1941. He was even named on the Forbes list of the 500 wealthiest families worldwide. When he died, his money and assets were estimated to be about $1.7 billion.
Anton Rupert's Role in Politics
In 1966, some people thought Anton Rupert might become the Prime Minister of South Africa. This was part of a campaign to replace the current leader. The ruling National Party in the Cape Province supported Rupert. They believed he could improve South Africa's image around the world. They also saw him as a "moderate" person who could help unite the country.
He was a member of a secret Afrikaner group called the Afrikaner Broederbond in the 1940s. However, he later said it was "absurd" and stopped being a member.
Anton Rupert's Dedication to Conservation
Anton Rupert was a founding member of the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). He was the president of the WWF's South African branch. In this role, he helped create "peace parks." These are large areas where wildlife can move freely across country borders. An example is the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area. In 1970, he also started The 1001: A Nature Trust. This was a special fund to help pay for the WWF's work.
Founding the Peace Parks Foundation
On 1 February 1997, the Peace Parks Foundation was started. This was made possible by an initial gift of 1.2 million Rand (about US$260,000) from the Rupert Nature Foundation. The goal of this foundation is to help set up these cross-border conservation areas in southern Africa. Nelson Mandela, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, and Anton Rupert were the first leaders of the Peace Parks Foundation. In 2000, the Cape Tercentenary Foundation gave him the Molteno Medal. This award was for his lifelong work in protecting culture and nature.
Recognizing Anton Rupert's Impact
In 2004, Anton Rupert was voted 28th in a TV series called Top 100 Great South Africans. Nelson Mandela was in first place.
See also
In Spanish: Anton Rupert para niños
