Horst Paulmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horst Paulmann
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Horst Paulmann in 2014
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| Born | 22 March 1935 Kassel, Germany
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| Died | 11 March 2025 (aged 89) Santiago, Chile
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| Nationality | German Chilean |
| Occupation | CEO and chairman, Cencosud |
| Known for | Retail tycoon |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Jürgen Paulmann |
Horst Paulmann Kemna (born March 22, 1935 – died March 11, 2025) was a very successful businessman from Germany and Chile. He was known for starting and leading Cencosud. This company grew to be the biggest retail chain in Chile. It also became the third largest in all of Latin America.
In July 2022, his personal wealth was estimated at about US$2.3 billion. Paulmann passed away on March 11, 2025, when he was 89 years old.
Contents
Early Life and Family Moves
Horst Paulmann was born in Germany. After World War II ended, in 1946, Horst and his family left Germany. They were looking for a new home.
His family included his parents and seven brothers and sisters. They traveled across the Alps mountains into Italy. In 1948, they continued their journey to Argentina. Finally, in 1950, they settled in Chile.
Starting Work and Business
When Horst was 13, he started working in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He worked as a telephone operator. Later, he made wooden toys.
His family eventually settled in Temuco, a city in southern Chile. In 1952, Paulmann's family bought a local restaurant. It was called Las Brisas. They soon changed it into a supermarket.
After his father passed away, Horst and his brother Jürgen Paulmann continued the family business. They built many supermarket chains. Their first very large supermarket, called a hypermarket, was 4,000 square meters. This big store became the start of their huge company, Cencosud.
Building a Retail Empire
Horst Paulmann officially founded Cencosud on November 10, 1978. He became its CEO and chairman. Cencosud grew into a massive company.
Cencosud's Reach
Today, Cencosud employs more than 150,000 people. It operates in several countries. These include Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.
The company runs many different types of stores:
- Supermarket chains like Jumbo, Santa Isabel, Disco, Vea, and Wong.
- Department stores such as París and Johnson's.
- Home improvement stores like Easy.
- Shopping malls and credit card services. They have issued over 4.3 million credit cards.
One of Paulmann's most famous projects is the Costanera Center complex. This huge complex includes the tallest tower in South America. The tower is 300 meters (about 984 feet) tall. The complex also has a six-story shopping mall, a hotel, and office buildings.
In 2004, Cencosud's shares began to be traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange. This meant people could buy and sell parts of the company. In 2011, Cencosud also started trading its shares on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) in the United States. The Paulmann family remains the main owner of Cencosud.
Other Important Roles
Horst Paulmann was also involved in other important business groups. He was the president of the Argentina–Chile Permanent Binational Business Board. He was also a member of the Argentine Business Association.
He served as a director for the Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce. He was also a director for the Chilean Chamber of Commerce.
Awards and Recognition
Horst Paulmann received many awards for his work and success.
- 2012: Entrepreneur of the Year from Diario Financiero.
- 2012: World Entrepreneur of The Year by Ernst & Young.
- 2008: Konex Awards for Service and Commerce Entrepreneur.
- 2007: Member of The Year from the Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- 2006: University Extension Award from Universidad Mayor.
- 2006: People and Development of Distinction Award during the Percade Congress.
- 2005: Given Chilean citizenship by grace, which is a special honor.
- 2005: ICARE Award for Entrepreneur of the Year.
- 2005: ASA Salvador D’Anna Award for best retail entrepreneur of the year in Argentina.
- 2004: Decoration from Orden de Mayo for his degree of Commander in Argentina.
- 2004: Diego Portales Award for outstanding entrepreneur.
Personal Life
Horst Paulmann had three children with Helga Koepfer: Manfred, Peter, and Heike. Later, in 2018, he welcomed a son named Hans Dieter Paulmann Bischof with his partner Katherine Bischof Sepúlveda.
See also
- List of oldest fathers
In Spanish: Horst Paulmann para niños
