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Billionaire Profile
Gabriele Gebauer
Global Rank
#1763

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Gabriele Gebauer

CEO, Mewa
DE
Real-Time Net Worth
$2.1B
As of December 2025
Age
84
Source
textile
Industry
manufacturing
Citizenship
DE

Biography

Gabriele Gebauer, a prominent figure in the textile industry, is currently 84 years old and has a net worth of $2.1 billion. Her wealth primarily stems from her ownership of Mewa, a full-service textile company she led until 2014. Mewa specializes in the manufacturing of workwear and protective clothing and offers professional washing services, serving 1.1 million people across Europe. Her career is marked by entrepreneurial excellence, having been recognized with the Hohenstein Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Global Textile Services in 2012.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Gabriele Gebauer's journey began with the founding of Mewa by her grandmother in 1908 as a small coarse yarn weaving mill. Gabriele took over the company in 1980.

Rise to Success

Under Gabriele's leadership, Mewa expanded into a pan-European company, growing to 48 locations and employing approximately 6,000 people. The company clothes 1.1 million people with workwear across Europe and washes 1.2 billion cleaning fabrics annually. The company reached sales of $990 million in 2023.

Key Business Strategies

Mewa's success is attributed to its full-service model, offering workwear, cleaning cloths, and related services, including washing and maintenance. The company has focused on sustainability, with its wastewater treatment plants achieving a 99.8% cleaning rate.

Philanthropy

Gabriele is also involved with the Gabriele Gebauer Mewa Stiftung which promotes public institutions in the communities in which Mewa operates, charitable organizations, institutions of general care, cultural institutions, and works of art. The foundation also benefits members of the Gebauer family.

Career Milestones

1980

Took over Mewa

Gabriele Gebauer, with her husband, took over the management of the Mewa textile company.

2012

Hohenstein Award

Gabriele Gebauer received the Hohenstein Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Global Textile Services.

2014

Retired from Mewa

Gabriele Gebauer and her husband retired from the business, transitioning to the supervisory board and board of trustees.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Charitable Giving

Gabriele Gebauer Mewa Stiftung

Undisclosed

Supports public institutions in communities where MEWA operates, charitable organizations, cultural institutions, and art.