Karl Albrecht biography
Founder of Aldi stores

The Karl Albrecht biography started when he was born on the 20 February 1920, Karl Hans Albrecht, and he is a German entrepreneur who later founded the discount supermarket chain Aldi. He created the Aldi venture with his brother, Theo Albrecht.

Karl Albrecht is amongst the richest men in the world, and he is estimated to have a net worth of roughly $23.5 billion. Forbes ranks him 10th in their 2010 international rich list, and in Germany, he is the wealthiest man.

The brothers were raised in comfortable circumstances, financially and otherwise. Their father was a miner, who later became a baker's assistant. Their mother, however, played a more important role in their success. She owned a small grocery store in the workers' area of Schonnebeck. It was this very store that was soon to expand and become Aldi supermarkets.

Theo completed his apprenticeship in his mother's shop, whilst the Karl Albrecht biography saw him work elsewhere in a delicatessen. He later served in the German Army during World War II. At the end of the war and the conquering of the Nazis, the two brothers took over their mother's business, and their first Aldi store opened in 1961.

The two brothers divided their attention between the southern and northern stores, with Karl taking the more profitable souther section (Aldi Sud) and Theo managing the northern branches (Aldi Nord).

The rest of the Karl Albrecht biography is quite sparse as he withdrew himself from public life after his brother Theo Albrecht was kidnapped in 1971. What is known, however, is that he is married. Forbes magazine reported that he has two children - neither of which appear to be employed by Aldi. It is also reported that both brothers today live in Essen, Germany.

In 1976, Karl had his own personal golf course built in 1976, where he still plays today. A huge fan of golf, his personal course is located in his local area, and is known as the Öschberghof. It is also known that he raises Orchids, a unique flower collected by enthusiasts the world around, and also has a large collection of antique typewriters.

The Karl Albrecht biography saw him removed himself from any of the operations of Aldi Sud in 1994, and instead settled with the position of chairman of the board. He later relinquished this position eight years later, finally ridding the burden of any control of the firm. Neither Karl Albrecht or any of his family have any control over Aldi to this day.

Aldi chains have spread globally, and these days compete with larger American supermarkets like Walmart, and UK firms like Tesco. Carrefour in Europe is another contender.

Aldi Nord currently has 35 independent branches on basis of region, with around 2,500 stores. Aldi Sud is somewhat smaller, made of 31 regional branches, accounting to 1,600 stores. The border that defines the distinction between Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord, run from Rhine via Mulheim an der Ruhr, Wermelskirchen, Marburg, Siegen and Gieben, and then eastwards up to the north of Fulda.

What was once East Germany, is these days completely served by Aldi Nord, bar a single Aldi Sud store in Sonneberg, Thuringia. That particular store is associated with the Bavarian regional office. The Karl Albrecht biography soon resulted in a business phenomenon.

Theo and Karl Albrecht biography links

• Short Karl Albrecht biography from Forbes.
• Theo Albrecht biography from Lycos.
• More famous entrepreneurs.