Early Life and Family
Alicia Koplowitz y Romero de Juseu was born on September 12, 1954, in Madrid, Spain. She is the younger of two daughters born to Ernesto Koplowitz Sternberg and Esther Romero de Juseu y Armenteros. Her father was a businessman who moved to Spain in the 1930s to escape persecution in Germany. Her mother came from a Spanish noble family. Alicia and her sister, Esther, inherited noble titles from their mother. Alicia was the Marquesa de Bellavista and Marquesa del Real Socorro.
Rise to Success
In 1962, Alicia's father died, and her mother enlisted Ramón Areces, the president of El Corte Inglés, to manage the construction company, CYCSA, for the benefit of Alicia and her sister. In 1969, Alicia married Alberto Cortina. In 1969, Alicia's sister Esther married Alberto Alcocer. Together, the sisters, with their husbands, diversified the company, expanding into real estate, banking, and acquiring a stake in Fomento de Obras y Construcciones SA (FOCSA).
In 1998, Alicia sold her 28.26% stake in FCC to her sister for 871 million euros, and then she created Omega Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in growth. Since its founding, Omega Capital has invested in various sectors, including private equity, blue-chip companies, oil, and real estate.
Key Business Strategies
Alicia Koplowitz's key business strategy has been to diversify her investments. After selling her stake in FCC, she invested in private equity, blue-chip companies, oil, and real estate. She has also invested in hotels, owning properties in Italy and Miami. Her financial advisor is Oscar Fanjul, who has been instrumental in guiding her investment decisions.
Philanthropy
Alicia Koplowitz is known for her philanthropic endeavors. She established the Fundación Vida y Esperanza in 1994, which provides support to children, adolescents, and young adults facing social and financial difficulties. In 2004, she helped build and donated the Alicia Koplowitz Multiple Sclerosis Hospital, the largest in Europe specializing in the disease. Through her charitable foundation, she supports Spanish researchers in child psychiatry.
