Gustaf Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gustaf Douglas
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Gustaf Archibald Siegwart Douglas
3 March 1938 Stockholm, Sweden
|
| Died | 3 May 2023 (aged 85) |
| Spouse(s) |
Elisabeth von Essen
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
Gustaf Archibald Siegwart Douglas (born March 3, 1938 – died May 3, 2023) was a very successful Swedish businessman and politician. He was also a member of a noble family. By 2022, he was a billionaire, with his wealth estimated at over US$7 billion. He was also part of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, which is a group of experts in engineering.
Contents
About Gustaf Douglas
Gustaf's Early Life and Family History
Gustaf Archibald Siegwart Douglas was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the oldest son of Carl Ludvig Douglas, who was a Swedish nobleman and a diplomat. His father worked as the Swedish Ambassador to Brazil. Gustaf's mother was Ottora Maria Haas-Heye, who came from Prussia.
Gustaf had two younger sisters. His older sister, Elisabeth Douglas, married Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria. Their daughter, Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, is now a princess in Liechtenstein. His younger sister, Rosita Douglas, married the 11th Duke of Marlborough.
Gustaf's family, the Douglas family, has Scottish roots. They were introduced to the Swedish House of Nobility in the 1600s. Gustaf later served on the board of this important house. His family also had connections to old Scandinavian noble families.
Gustaf's Career and Businesses
After studying business at Harvard Business School in 1964, Gustaf Douglas started his career in Sweden. He became the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of two big newspapers, Dagens Nyheter and Expressen, from 1973 to 1980.
In 1984, he started his own company called Investment AB Latour. Through this company, he gained control of several other large businesses. These included Securitas AB, a security company, and Assa Abloy, which makes locks. He also worked closely with another businessman, Melker Schörling.
Gustaf Douglas was known as one of the richest people in Sweden. In 2013, Forbes magazine estimated his wealth to be around US$3.2 billion.
Gustaf's Political Involvement
Gustaf Douglas was also active in politics for a long time. Even as a teenager, he supported the party that later became the Moderate Party. In 2001, he was elected to the board of the Moderate Party.
He was known for his conservative views within the party. He was very interested in education policy and how schools are run.
Gustaf's Stamp Collection
Gustaf Douglas was a passionate stamp collector, a hobby known as philately. In May 2013, he bought a very special stamp called the 1855 Treskilling Yellow. This stamp is one of the rarest in the world.
He was also a member of the Royal Philatelic Society London. In 2018, he was recognized for his contributions to stamp collecting by being added to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists.
Gustaf's Family Life and Passing
In 1963, Gustaf Douglas married Elisabeth von Essen. They had two children, Carl and Eric. Both of their children now work in the family's businesses.
The Douglas family lived in a place called Rydboholm Castle, which is located outside of Åkersberga. Gustaf Douglas passed away on May 3, 2023, at the age of 85.
