Ernest Oppenheimer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Oppenheimer
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Ernest Oppenheimer (right) visiting a diamond factory (Amsterdam, Dec. 1945)
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| Born | May 22, 1880 Friedberg, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire
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| Died | November 25, 1957 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Years active | 1896-1957 |
| Known for | Anglo American |
| Title | Sir |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Lena Pollak Caroline Magdalen Oppenheimer |
| Children | Frank Oppenheimer Harry Oppenheimer |
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Sir Ernest Oppenheimer (born May 22, 1880 – died November 25, 1957) was a very important person in the world of diamond and gold mining. He was also a financier (someone who manages large amounts of money) and a philanthropist (someone who gives money to help others). He became the head of the famous De Beers company and started the Anglo American Corporation in South Africa.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Ernest Oppenheimer was born in Friedberg, Hesse, Germany. His father, Edward Oppenheimer, was a cigar merchant. Ernest started working at age 17. He joined a company in London called Dunkelsbuhler & Company, which bought and sold diamonds.
His hard work impressed his boss. In 1902, when he was 22, Ernest was sent to Kimberley, South Africa. His job was to buy diamonds for the company there. He became very successful and was even elected mayor of Kimberley. He served as mayor from 1912 to 1915. During World War I, he helped gather people for the Kimberley Regiment to serve in the war.
Building Mining Empires
Ernest Oppenheimer became good friends with William Lincoln Honnold. William was an American engineer who led several mining companies. In 1917, Ernest and William started a new company called the Anglo American Corporation. They got financial help from a famous banker, J. P. Morgan.
The company started with £1 million. Half of this money came from America and half from England and South Africa. Ernest stayed on as a director and chairman of Anglo American until 1953. In 1919, Anglo American bought diamond mines in South West Africa. This move created a challenge for the De Beers company, which had a strong hold on the diamond business.
In 1924, Ernest Oppenheimer was elected to the House of Assembly. This was the main law-making body in South Africa. He represented Kimberley and held his seat until 1938. In 1927, Ernest took control of the De Beers company. This company was originally built by Cecil Rhodes. Ernest worked to make De Beers the world's leading company in the diamond industry. He became the chairman of De Beers in 1929.
Personal Life and Family
Ernest Oppenheimer married Mary Lena Pollak in 1906. They had two sons together. Mary passed away in 1934. In 1935, Ernest married Caroline Magdalen Oppenheimer. She was the widow of Michael Oppenheimer.
Ernest Oppenheimer passed away in Johannesburg in 1957. He was born into a Jewish family. However, as an adult, he chose to become an Anglican. He was buried at St George's Church in Parktown. His son, Harry Oppenheimer, took over the family business after him. Ernest's brother, Sir Bernard Oppenheimer, was also very involved in the diamond industry.
Legacy
In 1964, a very special diamond was named in Ernest Oppenheimer's honor. Its owner, Harry Winston, named it the Oppenheimer Diamond. This diamond is not cut or polished like a gem. Harry Winston gave it to the Smithsonian Institution as a way to remember Ernest Oppenheimer.
