Early Life
Beatriz Davila de Santo Domingo was born in Santa Marta, Colombia, on March 7, 1939. She studied Art and Decoration at the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Bogotá. In her youth, she co-founded the Galería Deimos in the city center, a cultural project that later evolved into the Escuela de Artes y Oficios in La Candelaria, focused on training artisans and entrepreneurs.
Rise to Success
Her marriage to Julio Mario Santo Domingo in 1975 was a pivotal moment, leading to the consolidation of an economic empire initially centered on the brewing industry. The couple's wealth grew through their control of Bavaria Brewery, later incorporated into SABMiller. After her husband's death in 2011, Beatriz took over the management of the family's extensive business interests. She controls over a third of the Santo Domingo family's Luxembourg-based holding company.
Key Business Strategies
Beatriz's wealth is primarily linked to the beer industry, with significant shares in Anheuser-Busch InBev. The family also holds stakes in Keurig Dr. Pepper, Kraft Heinz, and JDE Peet's. They own a share in Château Pétrus, a prestigious wine estate near Bordeaux, France. Her business acumen has kept her among the wealthiest individuals in Colombia.
Philanthropy
Beatriz has been involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Santo Domingo Foundation, focusing on social development in Colombia. Her contributions include supporting Latin American studies at Harvard University and promoting arts and culture in Colombia. She is dedicated to philanthropy, art collection, and supporting Colombian artistic expressions, residing in a penthouse in Manhattan, New York.