Clemens Toennies

$1.21 B

Ranked #3029 in World

About Clemens Toennies

Clemens Tönnies, a German billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, as per Forbes, and a 45% stake in Tönnies Holding, a meat processing giant, has navigated both success and controversy. Born into a butcher family in Rheda, Germany, he became the helm of the family business in 1994. Despite his financial achievements, Tönnies has faced numerous challenges, including tax evasion allegations in 2012, a fine in 2013 for omission of shares, involvement in CumEx deals in 2014, and engaging in price fixing through subsidiaries in 2016. His remarks in 2019 about electrifying Africa spurred accusations of racism. In 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak at his main plant led to public outcry and his resignation from FC Schalke 04's board. Most recently, in 2021, he sued a camera team, adding to his contentious public profile.

Born

May 27, 1956 in Rheda

Age

70 years

Source Of Wealth

Meat Processing

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

Germany

Residence

Rheda-Wiedenbrück

Clemens Tönnies was born on May 27, 1956, in Rheda, Germany. His father was a butcher, and his mother was a homemaker. Tönnies grew up with six siblings and took over the family business after his brother's death in 1994.

Clemens Toennies: Family

Clemens Tönnies is married and has three children. He is a Roman Catholic and lives in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany.

Clemens Toennies: Career Highlights

Clemens Tönnies is the owner of Tönnies Holding, a meat processing company. He is also the chairman of the supervisory board of FC Schalke 04, a German football club. Tönnies has been involved in the meat industry for over 40 years and is considered one of the most influential figures in the German meat industry.

Clemens Toennies: Companies

Clemens Tönnies owns Tönnies Holding, a meat processing company. The company is one of the largest meat processors in Germany and employs over 16,000 people. Tönnies Holding also owns several other companies, including Zur Mühlen Group, a meat processing company, and Böklunder, a sausage company.

Clemens Toennies: Major Achievements

Clemens Tönnies has been recognized for his contributions to the meat industry. He has received several awards, including the German Meat Industry Award in 2005 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2011.

Clemens Toennies: Awards & Achievements

Clemens Tönnies has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the meat industry and his philanthropic efforts. Some of his notable awards include:

German Meat Industry Award (2005)
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2011)
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vechta (2014)
Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Meat Industry Association (2016)

Clemens Toennies: Personal Life & Legacy

Clemens Tönnies is a controversial figure. He has been involved in several scandals, including tax evasion, price fixing, and making racist remarks. However, he is also known for his philanthropy and has donated millions of euros to various charities.

Clemens Toennies: Trivia

Clemens Tönnies is a licensed pilot and owns several private planes.

He is a fan of FC Schalke 04 and has served as the club's chairman since 2001.
Tönnies is also a member of the supervisory board of several other companies, including the German Football League (DFL) and the German Football Association (DFB).

Wealth History

Timeline

1956

Clemens Tönnies was born in Rheda, Germany, to a butcher and his wife.

1994

Clemens Tönnies took over the family business after his brother's death.

2012

German tax investigators searched Clemens Tönnies' office due to suspected tax evasion.

2013

Clemens Tönnies was fined 90,000 euros for omitting his shares in the Zur Mühlen Group when attempting to merge his company with Tummel.

2014

Clemens Tönnies obtained public funds via CumEx deals, where he received refunds of taxes he had never paid.

2016

Tönnies subsidiaries engaged in price fixing, resulting in a 128 million euro fine. However, Clemens Tönnies avoided paying the fines by transferring the companies' activities and liquidating them.

2019

Clemens Tönnies made controversial remarks suggesting that Africa should be electrified to reduce deforestation and population growth, which was widely criticized as racist.

2020

Mass testing revealed that at least 1,500 workers at Clemens Tönnies' main plant were infected with SARS-CoV-2, leading to school and kindergarten closures and protests outside his house.

2020

Clemens Tönnies resigned from the board of FC Schalke 04 amid fan pressure following the COVID-19 outbreak at his plant.

2021

Clemens Tönnies sued a camera team for an episode about how he deals with critics.

Clemens Toennies : FAQs

What is Clemens Toennies's current net worth?

Clemens Toennies's current net worth is $1.21 billion.

What is Clemens Toennies's current global rank among billionaires?

Clemens Toennies holds the 3029th position globally among billionaires.

What is Clemens Toennies's current ranking within the Germany?

Clemens Toennies holds the 185th position in Germany.

What was the change in Clemens Toennies's net worth compared to the previous year?

Clemens Toennies's net worth decreased by 28.81 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.24 billion dollars.

What are Clemens Toennies's main sources of wealth?

Clemens Toennies's main source of income comes from Meat Processing.

In which industry does Clemens Toennies primarily operate?

Clemens Toennies is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

How old is Clemens Toennies?

Clemens Toennies is 70 years old.

How did Clemens Tönnies begin his career in the meat processing industry?

Born in Rheda, Germany to a butcher and his wife, Clemens Tönnies grew up with six siblings and took over the family business after his brother's death in 1994.

What controversies has Clemens Tönnies been involved in?

Clemens Tönnies has faced several controversies including suspected tax evasion in 2012, a fine in 2013 for omitting shares during a merger attempt, involvement in CumEx deals in 2014, subsidiaries' price fixing in 2016, making controversial remarks about Africa in 2019, a massive COVID-19 outbreak at his plant in 2020, and suing a camera team in 2021.

What was the result of the COVID-19 outbreak at Clemens Tönnies' meat processing plant?

The COVID-19 outbreak at Clemens Tönnies' main plant in 2020 resulted in at least 1,500 workers being infected, leading to school and kindergarten closures, protests outside his house, and his resignation from the board of FC Schalke 04 amid fan pressure.

How has Clemens Tönnies responded to critics and legal challenges?

Clemens Tönnies has taken legal action against critics, including suing a camera team in 2021 for an episode about how he deals with criticism.