Rosalia Mera

$6.10 B

Ranked #195 in World

About Rosalia Mera

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea, a pioneering Spanish businesswoman born on January 28, 1944, in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, co-founded the Zara retail chain with her then-husband Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1975, propelling it to become the world's largest fashion retailer. Despite leaving school at 11 to work as a sales assistant, Mera's entrepreneurial spirit saw her designing gowns and lingerie, eventually leading to the opening of the first Zara store. Her business acumen contributed to Inditex's establishment in 1986, which now encompasses brands like Bershka and Massimo Dutti across over 6000 stores in 86 countries. Holding a 7% stake in Inditex post-divorce, Mera was named the world's wealthiest self-made female entrepreneur by Forbes in 2013, with a net worth exceeding $6 billion. Beyond her business achievements, she was known for her opposition to restrictive abortion laws in Spain and her philanthropic efforts through the Paideia Foundation. Mera passed away on August 15, 2013, leaving a significant legacy in both the business world and philanthropy, with her daughter Sandra Ortega Mera inheriting her wealth.

Born

January 28, 1944 in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Died

August 15, 2013 (aged 69)

Source Of Wealth

Zara

Industries

Fashion And Retail

Citizenship

Spain

Spouse

Amancio Ortega Gaona (Married: 1966; Divorced: 1986)

Children

2; including Sandra Ortega Mera

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea was born on January 28, 1944, in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. She had a humble upbringing and dropped out of school at the age of 11 to work as a sales assistant to support her family.

Rosalia Mera: Family

Rosalía Mera married Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1966. They had two children together, Sandra in 1968 and Marcos in 1971. Marcos was born with cerebral palsy. The couple divorced in 1986.

Rosalia Mera: Career Highlights

Rosalía Mera co-founded the Zara retail chain with her then-husband Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1975. Zara's success was attributed to its business model of imitating popular fashions and producing them quickly at low prices. The company grew rapidly and became the world's largest fashion retailer.

In 1986, Mera and Ortega established Inditex as a holding company for their businesses. Inditex owns several fashion brands, including Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Uterque, and Zara Home. As of 2023, Inditex has over 6000 stores in 86 countries and employs over 120,000 people.

Rosalia Mera: Companies

Rosalía Mera was involved in several companies throughout her career. She retained a 7% stake in Inditex after her divorce from Ortega. She also had interests in a fingerprinting identification kits company and Zeltia, a pharmaceutical company focused on cancer research.

Rosalia Mera: Major Achievements

Rosalía Mera was recognized as the world's wealthiest self-made female entrepreneur in 2013 by Forbes magazine. At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated to be over $6 billion, making her the second-wealthiest person in Spain after her ex-husband.

Rosalia Mera: Awards & Achievements

Rosalía Mera received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to the fashion industry and her philanthropic work. Some of her notable awards include the Gold Medal of Galicia (2007), the National Fashion Award (2008), and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2011).

Rosalia Mera: Personal Life & Legacy

Rosalía Mera was known for her strong personality and her commitment to social causes.

She was an outspoken critic of restrictive abortion laws and austerity cutbacks in Spain. She also established the Paideia Foundation to support groups at risk of social exclusion.

After her death in 2013, her daughter Sandra Ortega Mera inherited her wealth, becoming Spain's richest woman.

Rosalia Mera: Trivia

Rosalía Mera was a self-taught businesswoman who never received any formal education beyond the age of 11.

She was known for her keen eye for fashion and her ability to spot trends.

Mera was a patron of the arts and supported several cultural initiatives in her hometown of A Coruña.

Wealth History

Timeline

January 28, 1944

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea is born in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain.

1966

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea marries Amancio Ortega Gaona.

1968

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea gives birth to her daughter, Sandra.

1971

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea gives birth to her son, Marcos.

1975

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea and Amancio Ortega Gaona open the first Zara store in A Coruña.

1986

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea and Amancio Ortega Gaona divorce. Rosalía Mera Goyenechea retains a 7% stake in Inditex.

August 14, 2013

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea is admitted to hospital in Menorca after suffering a stroke.

August 15, 2013

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea dies in A Coruña due to complications.

Rosalia Mera : FAQs

What is Rosalia Mera's net worth?

As of 2013, Rosalia Mera's net worth was $6.10 billion.

What are Rosalia Mera's main sources of wealth?

Rosalia Mera's main source of income comes from Zara.

In which industry does Rosalia Mera primarily operate?

Rosalia Mera is primarily involved in the Fashion And Retail industry.

Is Rosalia Mera dead?

Yes, Rosalia Mera died on August 15, 2013 (aged 69).

How many children does Rosalia Mera have?

Rosalia Mera has 2 children.

Who was Rosalía Mera Goyenechea and what is she known for?

Rosalía Mera Goyenechea was a Spanish businesswoman and entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of the Zara retail chain with her ex-husband Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1975, which became the world's largest fashion retailer.

What were the key factors behind Zara's success in the fashion industry?

Zara's success can be attributed to its strategy of imitating popular fashions and its ability to produce these trends quickly and at low costs, revolutionizing the fast fashion industry.

How did Rosalía Mera contribute to society outside of her business achievements?

Beyond her business achievements, Rosalía Mera was known for her opposition to restrictive abortion laws and austerity cutbacks in Spain, and she established the Paideia Foundation to support groups at risk of social exclusion.

What legacy did Rosalía Mera leave behind after her death in 2013?

Rosalía Mera left a significant legacy through her daughter Sandra Ortega Mera, who inherited her wealth and became Spain's richest woman. Her contributions to fashion and philanthropy also left a lasting impact on society.