Amancio Ortega Gaona Biography

(Spanish Businessman and Co-Founder of Inditex Fashion Group)

Birthday: March 28, 1936 (Aries)

Born In: Busdongo de Arbás, Spain

Amancio Ortega, born as Amancio Ortega Gaona, is a Spanish business tycoon best recognized as the founder of the Inditex fashion group, parent company of the famous fashion brand ZARA that has more than 6000 stores in over 65 countries. As of January 2018, Ortega had acquired a net worth of about $77.6 billion, making him the richest man in Europe, and the fourth richest in the world. He is also the wealthiest merchant in the world. Ortega, who earns more than $400 million in dividends every year, has investments in an ever-expanding real estate portfolio that includes buildings in New York, Miami, London, Barcelona, Chicago, and Madrid. On a personal note, the American entrepreneur is a media-shy person. This is the reason most people are unaware of him despite the fact that he is the founder of one of the world’s top fashion labels! Ortega, who is currently married to his second wife Flora Pérez Marcote, has three children including Sandra Ortega Mera.
11
Quick Facts

Spanish Celebrities Born In March

Also Known As: Amancio Ortega

Age: 88 Years, 88 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Flora Pérez (m. 2001), Rosalía Mera (m. 1966–1986)

children: Marcos Ortega Mera, Marta Ortega, Sandra Ortega Mera

Billionaires Fashion Entrepreneurs

Founder/Co-Founder: Fundación Amancio Ortega, Confecciones Goa, Zara, Inditex

  • 1

    What is the history of Zara, the popular fashion retailer founded by Amancio Ortega Gaona?

    Zara was founded by Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1975 in Spain. It has since grown to become one of the world's largest fashion retailers, known for its fast-fashion approach.
  • 2

    How did Amancio Ortega Gaona build his fashion empire?

    Amancio Ortega Gaona built his fashion empire by focusing on fast fashion, vertical integration, and a highly efficient supply chain. This approach allowed his brands to quickly respond to changing fashion trends and deliver new styles to customers at a rapid pace.
  • 3

    What is the business strategy behind Amancio Ortega Gaona's success?

    Amancio Ortega Gaona's success is attributed to his focus on fast fashion, vertical integration, and a decentralized decision-making process. This strategy allows his brands to stay ahead of trends, maintain control over production, and quickly adapt to market demands.
  • 4

    How has Amancio Ortega Gaona influenced the fashion industry?

    Amancio Ortega Gaona has influenced the fashion industry by popularizing the concept of fast fashion and revolutionizing the way clothing is designed, produced, and distributed. His approach has set new standards for speed and efficiency in the industry.
  • 5

    What are some key milestones in the career of Amancio Ortega Gaona?

    Some key milestones in the career of Amancio Ortega Gaona include the founding of Zara in 1975, the expansion of his fashion empire globally, and becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the world through his successful retail business ventures.
Career
Amancio Ortega began his career as a shop hand for a shirt maker called Gala and learned to make clothes by hand. He then founded Confecciones Goa in 1972 and began selling quilted bathrobes. Three years later, he, along with his first wife, Rosalía, opened the first Zara store. The store was a success and this motivated Ortega to open several more Zara stores across Spain in the following decade. The label Zara is part of the Inditex group.
In 2011, Ortega announced his retirement from the Inditex Group, the parent company of the Zara chain. The following year, he donated about €20 million to the Roman Catholic relief organisation, Caritas Internationalis.
Today, the Inditex Group owns several other renowned brands besides Zara, such as Zara Home, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, and Pull and Bear. It has over 90,000 workers.
Ortega is also the proud owner of the Torre Picasso, Spain’s tallest skyscraper worth $536 million. He has his own equestrian center and a private jet as well.
Continue Reading Below
Personal Life
Amancio Ortega was born on 28 March 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, León, Spain, to Antonio Ortega Rodríguez and Josefa Gaona Hernández as the youngest of their four kids. He spent his childhood days in León. At the age of 14, he left his school and moved to A Coruña due to his father’s job.
Talking about Ortega’s love life, he married his first wife Rosalía Mera in 1966. The couple got divorced in 1986. After this, the businessman went on to marry his second wife Flora Pérez Marcote in the year 2001. Today, Ortega is the father of three kids: Sandra Ortega Mera, Marta Ortega Pérez and Marcos Ortega Mera.
He is known to be a down-to-earth man who stays away from the media glare. Ortega normally wears gray pants with a white shirt and blue blazer to work, none of which are Zara products. The Spanish business tycoon does not believe in wearing a tie. He also takes his meals at work in the company’s cafeteria along with his workers.
Ortega loves to go for horseback riding in his leisure time.
Facts About Amancio Ortega Gaona
Amancio Ortega Gaona, the founder of Inditex fashion group, is known for his humble beginnings as a delivery boy in a shirt store.
Despite his immense wealth, Ortega prefers a simple lifestyle and reportedly eats lunch with his employees in the company cafeteria.
Ortega is a self-made billionaire who built his empire from scratch, emphasizing hard work and dedication.
He is known for his philanthropy, having donated millions to various causes, including healthcare and education.
Ortega is famously private and rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, preferring to let his work speak for itself.

How To Cite

Article Title
- Amancio Ortega Gaona Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/amancio-ortega-gaona-14527.php

People Also Viewed

Tina Knowles Biography
Tina Knowles
(American)
 
Karl Lagerfeld Biography
Karl Lagerfeld
(German)
 
Becca Tilley Biography
Becca Tilley
(American)
 
Max Azria Biography
Max Azria
(American)
 
David Lauren Biography
David Lauren
(American)
 
Daymond John Biography
Daymond John
(American)
 
Allegra Versace Biography
Allegra Versace
(Italian)