The BBC ran an article, “Germany’s Super-Shy Super-Rich” which highlights the likes of Karl Albright, one of the founders of Aldi. For those of you that do not have an Aldi in your area, it is a discount grocery store that carries one brand of products rather than multiple brands like a typical big-chain supermarket.
Other notable recluses mentioned in the article are Dieter Schwartz, CEO and chairman of Lidl and 24th richest man on the planet, and Susan Klatten, daughter of Herbert Quandt founder of BMW. Susan worked as an apprentice under a pseudonym when she first started in business, and her husband did not know her identity until their relationship was solid. She is Germany’s richest woman and 44th richest person in the world.
While the super-wealthy in the U.S. and Britain tend to spend more time in the limelight, the German super-wealthy do not flaunt their wealth. The Germans consider frugality a virtue.
“It is not the kind of place then to approve of young millionaires roaring around in expensive cars – they may make the Porsches and the BMWs but it’s for others to rev them up and show off.”