Biography of Amancio Ortega - Owner of Zara Fashion
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If you are a fan of fashion, surely your senses are no longer magical with the popular fashion brand 'Zara'. This fashion brand is very popular in the international world. But who would have thought that the popular owner or founder of Zara was someone who was simple and dropped out of school since the age of 13 years but had a wealth of US $ 57 billion and managed to occupy the position as number three richest person in the world. This article will discuss the biography or profile of Amancio Ortega, a founder and owner of the popular Zara brand Retail and accessories that is very popular in the international fashion world. Amancio Ortega was born on March 28, 1936 in Spain from a poor family.
Since childhood, he did not even get formal education because the economic condition of his family which was very concerned about the reason was that at the age of 13 he decided to quit school and help his parents work. Orthega's father is an ordinary worker on the railroad tracks, while his mother is only a housemaid.
Profile of Amancio Ortega's Life
Amancio Ortega himself at the age of 13 worked as an introduction in the area of luxury clothing. From here he was then trusted and appointed as the area's tailor adjutant where he worked. In that place he then learned how to sew good clothes. He also studied the production process to the distribution of clothing from the factory and then to the store. Here he also learned how important it is to offer exclusive clothing to consumers without distributors.
That is what he used as one of his great success tactics at Zara. He tried to control all stages of textile production to cut costs. In addition, it is also expected to be faster and more flexible in producing clothes. After becoming a tailor aide, he worked along with his two siblings, Antonio and Josefa as salesmen at a clothing store that was developing.
In the early 1960s Ortega later became a manager at a local clothing store. He then realized that only a few rich people could buy clothes at high prices. Together with Rosalia Mera, and her two siblings, they began to produce cheap and quality clothes. He then fell in love with Mera and married him in 1966. From there, Ortega and his wife began sewing their own clothes in the living room of his house. From there he then began to hire other people to sew all of his designs and set up his first shop. He still sells it at a cheaper price but with good quality.
In 1975, with his first wife, he founded the Zara shop in front of the most important shopping shop in the city of Spain. The place is a very strategic location. His business continues to advance rapidly because of its low price and luxurious quality. In 1989, Ortega was recorded to have opened nearly 100 Zara stores in Spain. At present, there are more than 1,700 Zara stores in 86 countries spread across six continents. Not surprisingly, Zara became the largest clothing retailer in the world. Even Kate Middleton is a fan of a number of Zara designs. Don't forget, the business comes from the living room of his house.
Mysterious billionaire
Popular Ortega greatly protect his personal life from the media and the public. His company also only offers a little gossip about his discourse. For decades in the business world, Ortega has only one photo for the media. The photo first appeared in the company's annual financial report in 1999. But after that the paparazzi managed to get some of his photos.
Not enough up to that, for the rest of his life only three journalists were allowed to interview him. Ortega also rarely arrives at office events. Even Ortega did not meet Spanish Prince Felipe who visited Inditex, a multinational clothing company where he owned 60% of his shares. The royal guest was only welcomed by one of Ortega's representatives.
In December 2012, Spanish media reported Ortega had paid US $ 500,000 to prevent paparazzi from publishing a photo of his son, Marta, who was honeymooning with her husband. No wonder many people don't know his profile, Ortega is indeed a mysterious billionaire. Although his wealth arrived from the clothing business, Ortega always dressed very modestly.
He always wore a blue blazer, white shirt and gray pants. Uniquely, all of the clothes are not Zara products. He also never wears a tie other than the one he gave first. Not only that, as a boss who fully understands the meaning of poverty, he always goes to the same coffee shop every day. He even always had lunch with his employees in the office cafeteria.
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its employees. He noticed even the smallest thing in his office. Another unique thing about Ortega, on the first day when he sold Inditex shares in 2001 and was announced as the richest man in Spain, he did not create a big celebration. He still works. He only watched TV for 15 minutes to see himself reportedly earning US $ 6 billion. After that he returned to lunch in his office. With a simple look, the three-child male has assets of US $ 57 billion, equivalent to Rp. 659.3 trillion. But as a billionaire, he hasn't changed much, it's still simple.
Personal Life Amancio Ortega
Ortega married Rosalia Mera in 1996. Together with Mera he founded Zara and created his first wife as one of the richest women in Spain. Mera was known to have died on August 15, 2013 because of his illness. From his marriage to Mera, he was awarded two children. Sandra, her first child when she was 44 years old with a fortune of US $ 1.1 billion.
His second child was Marcos who suffered mental disability since birth. This is the worst exposure in Ortega's life. Abundant money in some problems does not guarantee one's happiness. In 1983, Mera returned to give him a daughter nicknamed Marta who was currently working as an employee at Inditex. However, the husband and wife of the founder of Zara decided to divorce in 1986.
He later married Flora Perez Marcote who was his own employee in 2001. The most regrettable thing in his life was that he never had enough time for his family. Ortega and his second wife live in apartments in the friendly Spanish La Coruna with the main port of the Atlantic Continent. In his spare time, Ortega rode a horse in his training center in Finisterre, Spain. He built the area because of his wife's love for horses. He also owns The Epic Residences & Hotels in Miami, Florida which is one of the best hotels in the United States (US).
He also bought the tallest skyscraper in Spain, Torre Picasso in Madrid. The 515-foot building was purchased for US $ 536 million. His personal vehicle is undoubtedly very luxurious. He drives a glamorous Audi A8 sedan that is more than comfortable. Not only that, he has a private jet, The Global Express BD-700, designed by Bombardier, one of the most glamorous jet aircraft manufacturers. The aircraft sold for US $ 45 million. But Ortega rarely vacationed with the plane, he was more determined to spend his time working.