Harry Oppenheimer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Oppenheimer
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Oppenheimer in Amsterdam, 1945
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Harry Frederick Oppenheimer
28 October 1908 Kimberley, South Africa
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| Died | 19 August 2000 (aged 91) Johannesburg, South Africa
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| Education | Oxford University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Children | Mary Oppenheimer Nicky Oppenheimer |
| Parent(s) | May Pollack Ernest Oppenheimer |
Harry Frederick Oppenheimer (born 28 October 1908 – died 19 August 2000) was a very important South African businessman. He was also an industrialist, meaning he ran large companies, and a philanthropist, someone who gives money to good causes.
Harry Oppenheimer was often known as one of the richest people in the world. For 40 years, he was seen as South Africa's top industrialist. In 2004, he was voted 60th in the "Great South Africans" list.
Growing Up and Learning
Harry Oppenheimer was born in Kimberley, South Africa. This city was the first place where diamonds were mined in South Africa. His parents were May (Pollack) and Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. Harry grew up in a Jewish family.
When he was 13, he had a special ceremony called a Bar mitzvah in Kimberley. This is a Jewish tradition that marks a boy's coming of age.
After finishing primary school in Johannesburg, Harry went to Charterhouse School in England. He then studied at Christ Church, Oxford University. He graduated in 1931 with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
When he married his wife, Bridget (née McCall), he became a member of the Anglican Church. However, he always supported Jewish causes throughout his life. He made sure that diamonds were sent to Israel. This helped Israel build its important diamond-sorting and cutting industry.
His Work and Career
Harry Oppenheimer was the chairman of Anglo American Corporation for 25 years. He was also the chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines for 27 years. He retired from these big jobs in 1982 and 1984.
His son, Nicky Oppenheimer, later became Deputy Chairman of Anglo American Corporation in 1983. Nicky also became Chairman of De Beers in 1998. Harry's daughter, Mary Slack, lives in Johannesburg. She also owns a successful horse breeding farm called Wilgerbosdrift Stud. This farm has bred some very good racehorses.
Harry Oppenheimer also spent some time in politics. He was a Member of Parliament for Kimberley from 1948 to 1957. He became the main speaker for the opposition party on topics like money and government rules.
Giving Back to Others
Harry Oppenheimer was very generous. He gave a lot of money to charities, especially those in the State of Israel. He personally made sure that Israel received the diamonds it needed from De Beers. This helped Israel become one of the world's top countries for polishing and exporting diamonds.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he helped fund the Progressive Federal Party. This party was against apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa. This party later joined to form the Democratic Alliance.
The city of Kimberley honored Harry Oppenheimer on 4 September 1973. They gave him the Freedom of the City. This was to celebrate him as a "son of the city" who helped keep Kimberley known as "the diamond centre of the world."
The Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural High School in Limburg, Limpopo, is named after him. This is because he provided money to help set up the school.
The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award is Africa's top research prize. It is given out every year by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust. This award remembers Harry Oppenheimer's strong belief in "unambiguous excellence" in research.
Honours and Recognition
The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum in Ramat Gan, Israel, was opened in 1986. It was created to show his life and his important work.
