Early Life
Kirsten Elisbet Rausing was born in Lund, Sweden, on June 6, 1952. She is the eldest child of Gad Rausing, a Swedish businessman, and Birgit Mayne. Her grandfather, Ruben Rausing, founded Tetra Pak, a company that revolutionized food packaging. Her early exposure to her family's business fostered her lifelong interest in global business and enterprise management.
Rise to Success
Rausing, along with her brothers Jörn and Finn Rausing, sits on the board of the holding company Tetra Laval. Her father, Gad Rausing, bought out his brother Hans Rausing's share in Tetra Pak in 1995, making Kirsten and her siblings the sole owners of the company. She also holds a 20% stake in International Flavors & Fragrances with her brothers.
Key Business Strategies
Kirsten Rausing's leadership reflects both traditional Swedish values and modern global strategy. She is involved in horse breeding and owns Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, UK. She is a director of the British Bloodstock Agency and a member of the Jockey Club. Rausing's approach to business is methodical and visionary, maintaining a low public profile, while her influence within the organization is substantial.
Philanthropy
Rausing founded the Alborada Trust, which supports medical and veterinary causes, research, education, animal welfare, and disaster relief. Her philanthropic approach is methodical and evidence-based, funding projects with clear outcomes and sustainable goals. She is also a trustee of the Arcadia Fund.
