Billionaire Profile
Gudrun Heine
Global Rank
#1362

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Gudrun Heine

CEO, Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
DE
Real-Time Net Worth
$2.9B
As of December 2025
Age
71
Source
Medical devices
Industry
healthcare
Citizenship
DE

Biography

Gudrun Heine is a German heiress and businesswoman, with a net worth of $2.9 billion as of 2024. Her wealth originates from her 44% ownership stake in Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, a leading manufacturer in the medical device industry. Heine's career has been centered around the family business, which her father founded in 1945. Her achievements include leading the company as President of the Board of Directors, contributing to its global success in endoscopy instruments for human and veterinary medicine. Heine resides in Ohningen, Germany.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Gudrun Heine was born in Ohningen, Germany. Her father, Karl Storz, founded Karl Storz SE & Co. KG in 1945. The company initially manufactured ENT instruments and laid the groundwork for modern endoscopy through the innovation of 'cold light illumination', which involved introducing bright light into the body via a fiber-optic cable.

Rise to Success

Gudrun Heine's path to success is intrinsically linked to her family's medical device business. Karl Storz SE & Co. KG grew to become a global leader in endoscopy instruments. Heine owns 44% of the company and serves as the President of the Board of Directors.

Key Business Strategies

Key business strategies have involved a commitment to innovation, with a portfolio of over 15,000 products. The company has focused on providing high-quality endoscopy instruments for human and veterinary medicine. A global presence, with operations in 41 countries and more than 6,700 employees, has been crucial to the company's success.

Philanthropy

Specific philanthropy amounts for Gudrun Heine were not found through search.

Career Milestones

1945

Karl Storz SE & Co. KG Founded

Gudrun Heine's father founded Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, which became a leader in the medical device industry.

2019

Sister Sybill stepped down as managing director

Her sister, Sybill, who also owns 44%, stepped down as managing director on January 1, 2019 and handed over the reins to her son Karl-Christian.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Unknown

Unknown

Undisclosed

No specific philanthropy amounts found.