Horst Paulmann & family

$4.10 B

Ranked #818 in World

About Horst Paulmann & family

German-Chilean billionaire Horst Paulmann Kemna, esteemed founder and chairman of Cencosud, renowned as Chile's foremost retail chain and Latin America's third largest, holds a net worth of US$2.3 billion as of July 2022. A post-war emigrant, he paved his way from telephone operator to a retail magnate, founding Cencosud in 1978, now employing 150,000 across five countries, with various retail entities. Listed on stock exchanges in Santiago and NYSE, Paulmann's family retains significant shares. His accolades include an impressive array of entrepreneurial awards.

Born

January 01, 1935 in Kassel, Germany

Source Of Wealth

Retail

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Chile

Residence

Santiago

Children

Horst Paulmann Kemna was born on March 22, 1935, in Germany. In 1948, his family emigrated from Germany to Argentina and then to Chile in 1950. Paulmann worked as a telephone operator and later made wooden toys. His family settled in Temuco, Chile, where his father became a franchisee at Club Alemán and Club de La Unión. In 1952, the family bought a local restaurant called Las Brisas and transformed it into a supermarket.

Horst Paulmann & family: Family

Horst Paulmann Kemna had three children with his wife Helga Koepfer: Manfred, Peter, and Heike. In 2018, he had a fourth child, Hans Dieter Paulmann Bischof, with Katherine Bischof Sepúlveda.

Horst Paulmann & family: Career Highlights

Paulmann founded Cencosud on November 10, 1978, and served as its CEO and chairman. Cencosud employs over 150,000 people in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. It operates supermarket chains (Jumbo, Santa Isabel, Disco, Vea, Gbarbosa, Prezunic, Bretas, Perini, Wong, and Metro), department stores (París and Johnson's), home improvement stores (Easy and Blaisten), commercial centers, and credit stores. Paulmann also developed the Costanera Center complex, which includes the tallest tower in South America (300 meters), a mall, a hotel, and office towers.

Horst Paulmann & family: Companies

Horst Paulmann Kemna is the founder and chairman of Cencosud, the largest retail chain in Chile and the third largest in Latin America. Cencosud operates supermarket chains, department stores, home improvement stores, commercial centers, and credit stores in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.

Horst Paulmann & family: Major Achievements

Paulmann's major achievements include founding and leading Cencosud to become the largest retail chain in Chile and the third largest in Latin America. He also developed the Costanera Center complex, which includes the tallest tower in South America. Paulmann is a prominent businessman in Chile and has received numerous awards for his entrepreneurial success.

Horst Paulmann & family: Awards & Achievements

Horst Paulmann Kemna has received numerous awards and recognitions for his entrepreneurial achievements, including:

Entrepreneur of the Year Diario Financiero (2012)
World Entrepreneur of The Year 2012, by Ernst & Young (2012)
Konex Awards, Service and Commerce Entrepreneur (2008)
Member of The Year, Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2007)
University Extension Award, Universidad Mayor (2006)
People and Development of Distinction Award (2006)
Chilean citizenship by grace (2005)
ICARE Award, Entrepreneur of the Year (2005)
ASA Salvador D’Anna Award for best retail entrepreneur of the year - Argentina (2005)
Decoration from Orden de Mayo for his degree of Commander - Argentina (2004)
Diego Portales Award for outstanding entrepreneur (2004)

Horst Paulmann & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Horst Paulmann Kemna is a German-Chilean billionaire entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the retail industry in Chile and Latin America.

He is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and philanthropic efforts. Paulmann's legacy includes the establishment of Cencosud, one of the largest retail chains in the region, and the development of the Costanera Center complex, a major landmark in Santiago, Chile.

Horst Paulmann & family: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Horst Paulmann Kemna:

He is a dual citizen of Germany and Chile.
He is a member of the Argentina–Chile Permanent Binational Business Board and the Argentine Business Association.
He is a former director of the Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce and the Chilean Chamber of Commerce.
He is a patron of the arts and has supported various cultural initiatives in Chile.
He is a keen golfer and enjoys playing at the Club de Golf Los Leones in Santiago, Chile.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 22, 1935

Horst Paulmann Kemna is born in Germany.

1948

Horst Paulmann Kemna emigrates from Germany to Argentina with his family.

1950

Horst Paulmann Kemna emigrates from Argentina to Chile with his family.

1952

Horst Paulmann Kemna's family buys a local restaurant called Las Brisas and transforms it into a supermarket.

November 10, 1978

Horst Paulmann Kemna founds Cencosud and serves as CEO and chairman.

2004

Cencosud begins trading on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

2005

Horst Paulmann Kemna receives Chilean citizenship by grace.

2006

Horst Paulmann Kemna receives the University Extension Award from Universidad Mayor and the People and Development of Distinction Award.

2007

Horst Paulmann Kemna is named Member of The Year by the Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

2008

Horst Paulmann Kemna receives the Konex Awards for Service and Commerce Entrepreneur.

2011

Cencosud begins trading on the NYSE.

2012

Horst Paulmann Kemna is named Entrepreneur of the Year by Diario Financiero and World Entrepreneur of The Year by Ernst & Young.

2018

Horst Paulmann Kemna's fourth child, Hans Dieter Paulmann Bischof, is born with Katherine Bischof Sepúlveda.

Horst Paulmann & family : FAQs

What is Horst Paulmann's net worth?

As of 2024, Horst Paulmann's net worth was $4.10 billion.

What are Horst Paulmann's main sources of wealth?

Horst Paulmann's main source of income comes from Retail.

In which industry does Horst Paulmann primarily operate?

Horst Paulmann is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

How many children does Horst Paulmann have?

Horst Paulmann has 3 children.

What is the history behind Cencosud's formation?

Cencosud was founded on November 10, 1978, by Horst Paulmann, who served as the CEO and chairman. It began after his family turned a local restaurant into a supermarket in 1952. Paulmann expanded the business into the retail giant Cencosud, which now operates across several Latin American countries.

How did Horst Paulmann Kemna's early life experiences shape his career?

Born in Germany on March 22, 1935, Horst Paulmann Kemna emigrated to Argentina in 1948 and later to Chile in 1950 with his family. His early work as a telephone operator and making wooden toys led to a strong work ethic. The family then entered the retail business, setting a foundation for what would become Cencosud.

What businesses does Cencosud operate and in which countries?

Cencosud operates a vast array of businesses including supermarket chains like Jumbo and Metro, department stores such as París and Johnson's, home improvement stores Easy and Blaisten, as well as commercial centers and credit stores, employing over 150,000 across Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.

Can you list some of Horst Paulmann's awards and contributions outside of Cencosud?

Horst Paulmann has been recognized with multiple awards including Ernst & Young’s World Entrepreneur of The Year in 2012 and the Konex Awards in 2008. He's also contributed to bi-national business relations as President of the Argentina–Chile Business Board and participated in various commerce chambers in Chile and Argentina.