Stefan Persson (magnate)

Stefan Persson
Stefan Persson in 2010
Born	4 October 1947 (1947-10-04) (age 66) Stockholm, Sweden
Nationality	Swedish
Education	University of Stockholm
Occupation	Business magnate
Known for	Main shareholder of H&M
Net worth	US$ 28 billion (2013)[1]
Title	Chairman of H&M
Spouse(s)	Carolyn Denise Persson
Children	3
Parents	Erling Persson Margrit Persson

Carl Stefan Erling Persson (Swedish: [ˈsteːfan ˈpæʂɔn]; born 4 October 1947) is a Swedish business magnate. In March 2013, Forbes reported Persson's net worth as $28 billion^[2] making him the richest of Sweden's 12 billionaires^[2] and the 12th richest person in the world.^[3] Persson is the chairman and main shareholder in fashion company H&M, which was founded by his father Erling Persson in 1947.^[4] Persson took over the company from his father in 1982 and served as its chief executive officer until 1998. Persson also owns a substantial stake in the Swedish technology company, Hexagon AB.

In 2012 according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Persson had a net worth US $23.5 billion, making him the 17th richest person in the world.^[5]

Personal life

Persson is a founder of the Mentor Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that combats substance abuse among young people.^[6] He is a supporter of Djurgårdens IF and is co-funding a foundation for the club.^{[citation needed]} Persson enjoys downhill skiing, tennis and golf. He owns properties in London, Paris and Stockholm and, in 2009, acquired the 21-cottage village of Linkenholt in Hampshire, England.^[6]

Persson attended the University of Stockholm and still lives in Stockholm, Sweden with his wife, Carolyn Denise Persson. They have three children and, in 2009, his son, Karl-Johan Persson, took over as president and chief executive of H&M.^[1]

References