Ingvar Kamprad & family

$3.50 B

Ranked #497 in World

About Ingvar Kamprad & family

Feodor Ingvar Kamprad, the Swedish billionaire and visionary behind IKEA, passed away in 2018 at 91. Born in Pjätteryd, Småland, to a German father and Swedish mother, Kamprad's entrepreneurial journey began at five with a match-selling venture, eventually founding IKEA in 1943 from his initials and those of his family farm and nearby village. His legacy includes pioneering affordable furniture, a testament to his frugality and innovation, detailed in his publications like "A Testament of a Furniture Dealer." Despite a controversial affiliation with a pro-fascist movement in his youth, which he later regretted, Kamprad's impact on global retail remains indelible. He stepped down from the IKEA board in 2013, leaving a significant part of his estate to benefit projects in Norrland, Sweden, and ensuring his sons continued his business ethos through the Ikano Group. Kamprad's life from his modest upbringing to establishing a global brand underscores a commitment to cost control, operational efficiency, and continuous product development, traits that have left an indelible mark on the retail industry.

Born

March 30, 1926 in Pjatteryd, Sweden

Died

January 27, 2018 (aged 91)

Source Of Wealth

Ikea

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Sweden

Spouse

Kerstin Wadling (Married: 1950; Divorced: 1960), Margaretha Stennert (Married: 1963; Divorced: )

Children

Feodor Ingvar Kamprad was born on March 30, 1926, in Pjätteryd, Småland, Sweden. His father, Feodor Kamprad, was a German immigrant, while his mother, Berta Nilsson, was Swedish. Ingvar Kamprad displayed an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, starting by selling matches at the age of five. He later expanded his product offerings to include fish, Christmas tree decorations, and pencils.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Family

Ingvar Kamprad married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Kerstin Wadling, with whom he had three children: Peter, Gunnel, and Jonas. After their divorce, he married Margaretha Stennert, with whom he had a fourth child, Mathias. Mathias Kamprad eventually succeeded his father as the chairman of the IKEA board.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Career Highlights

In 1943, at the age of 17, Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA, which stands for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. Elmtaryd was the family farm where he grew up, and Agunnaryd was a nearby village. IKEA started as a mail-order business, selling pens, wallets, picture frames, and other small items. Over the years, it grew into one of the world's largest furniture retailers, known for its affordable, ready-to-assemble furniture.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Companies

Ingvar Kamprad established several companies throughout his career. In addition to IKEA, he founded the Stichting INGKA Foundation, which owns the majority of IKEA stores worldwide. He also established the Ikano Group, a privately held company that owns and operates shopping centers, hotels, and financial services, among other businesses.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Major Achievements

Ingvar Kamprad's major achievements include building IKEA into a global furniture empire. He revolutionized the furniture industry by introducing the concept of flat-pack furniture, which made it easier and more affordable for people to furnish their homes. Kamprad was also known for his cost-conscious approach to business, always seeking ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Awards & Achievements

Ingvar Kamprad received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship.

Some of his notable awards include the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1982, the Horatio Alger Award in 2011, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Ingvar Kamprad was known for his frugal lifestyle and simplicity. He lived in a modest house in Switzerland for many years and was known for driving an old Volvo. Kamprad was also a philanthropist, donating large sums of money to various charitable causes. He passed away on January 27, 2018, at the age of 91, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 20th century.

Ingvar Kamprad & family: Trivia

Here are some interesting trivia about Ingvar Kamprad:

Kamprad joined the pro-fascist New Swedish Movement in 1942, but later called it a "mistake."
He lived in Switzerland from 1976 to 2014 to avoid Sweden's high taxes.
Kamprad was a dyslexic, which may have contributed to his innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
He named his sons as the sole heirs of the Ikano Group, valued at $1.5 billion.
Kamprad left half of his estate to projects in Norrland, Sweden, a region where he grew up.

Wealth History

Timeline

1926

Feodor Ingvar Kamprad is born in Pjätteryd, Småland, Sweden.

1942

Kamprad joins the pro-fascist New Swedish Movement.

1943

Kamprad founds IKEA at the age of 17.

2013

Kamprad resigns from the IKEA board, succeeded by his son Mathias Kamprad.

2014

Kamprad returns to Sweden after living in Switzerland for 38 years.

2015

Forbes reports Kamprad's net worth as $3.5 billion.

2018

Kamprad dies at the age of 91, leaving half of his estate to projects in Norrland, Sweden.

Ingvar Kamprad & family : FAQs

What is Ingvar Kamprad's net worth?

As of 2015, Ingvar Kamprad's net worth was $3.50 billion.

What are Ingvar Kamprad's main sources of wealth?

Ingvar Kamprad's main source of income comes from Ikea.

In which industry does Ingvar Kamprad primarily operate?

Ingvar Kamprad is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

Is Ingvar Kamprad dead?

Yes, Ingvar Kamprad died on January 27, 2018 (aged 91).

How many children does Ingvar Kamprad have?

Ingvar Kamprad has 4 children.

Who was Feodor Ingvar Kamprad and what was he known for?

Feodor Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish billionaire business magnate, best known as the founder of the global furniture retail company IKEA.

What is the origin of the name IKEA?

The name IKEA is an acronym that includes the initials of founder Ingvar Kamprad (IK), followed by the initials of Elmtaryd (E), the family farm where he was born, and Agunnaryd (A), the nearby village.

How did Ingvar Kamprad start his business career?

Ingvar Kamprad started his business career at the young age of 5 by selling matches, later expanding to selling fish, Christmas tree decorations, seeds, and eventually starting IKEA.

What significant contribution did Feodor Ingvar Kamprad make to IKEA's ownership structure?

Feodor Ingvar Kamprad established the Stichting INGKA Foundation, named after himself, which owns IKEA stores, ensuring the company's long-term stability and charitable contributions.

How did Ingvar Kamprad's personal values reflect in IKEA's business approach?

Ingvar Kamprad was known for his frugality, simplicity, and cost-consciousness, values that are reflected in IKEA's focus on cost control, operational details, and continuous product development.