Stefan Persson (magnate)

Stefan Persson

Stefan Persson in 2010
Born 4 October 1947 (age 67)
Stockholm, Sweden
Nationality Swedish
Education University of Stockholm
Occupation Business magnate
Known for Main shareholder of H&M
Net worth Decrease US$ 24.5 billion (March 2015)[1]
Title Chairman of H&M
Spouse(s) Carolyn Denise Persson
Children 3
Parent(s) Erling Persson
Margrit Persson
Relatives Lottie Tham (sister)

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 17th 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 manager until 1998. Persson also owns a substantial stake in the Swedish technology company, Hexagon AB. Through his privately held real estate company Ramsbury Invest Persson owns a large amount of properties in London, Paris and Stockholm.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Persson had a net worth of US $31.9 billion in 2014, 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. 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.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "The World's Billionaires". Forbes. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Forbes Billionaires Sweden 2013
  3. ↑ Forbes The World's Billionaires
  4. ↑ "Stefan Persson". Nationalencyklopedin (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 September 2010. (subscription required)
  5. ↑ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index". Bloomberg LP. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Forbes Stefan Persson
  7. ↑ "Stefan Persson – Forbes". Forbes. October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.