Theo Albrecht established the discount supermarket chain Aldi with his brother Karl Albrecht.
11 Facts About Theo Albrecht
1.
2.
In 2010, Theo was ranked by Forbes as the 31st richest person in the world, with a net worth of $16.7 billion.
3.
Theo Albrecht learned the grocery business from his mother, in order to escape the fate of his father in the mines.
4.
Theo Albrecht retired from daily operations in 1993 and remained as chairman of the board.
5.
Theo Albrecht was held at gunpoint by Heinz-Joachim Ollenburg, a lawyer, and his accomplice Paul Kron.
6.
Theo Albrecht's kidnappers were eventually caught by authorities, but only half of the money was recovered.
7.
In 1940, at the age of 18, Theo Albrecht was conscripted into the German Army and served in the North African campaign.
8.
Theo Albrecht's kidnapping in 1971 partially explained his and the family's decision to largely withdraw from public life.
9.
Theo Albrecht was rarely pictured by photographers, and he never made a public statement.
10.
Theo Albrecht was known to wear cheap, poorly fitting suits, and preferred plain meals with many potatoes.
11.
Theo Albrecht died 24 July 2010, in his hometown of Essen.