Early Life
Maja Oeri was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1955. She grew up in Basel and later studied art history at the Free University of Berlin. Her family has a long history of involvement in the pharmaceutical industry through Roche, founded by her ancestor Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche in 1896.
Rise to Success
Oeri's rise is tied to her inheritance and strategic decisions regarding her stake in Roche. She is a controlling shareholder of Roche, with just over 7.5% of the voting equity of the company. In 2011, she made a pivotal move by withdrawing her 5% stake in the company's shares from the family pool, which reduced the family's majority control. This move, though not creating a family rift, made her a prominent individual shareholder and boosted her personal fortune.
Key Business Strategies
Oeri's primary strategy involves managing her significant wealth and using it to support philanthropic endeavors. She is the president of the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation and the founder of the Laurenz Foundation. Her business acumen is evident in her successful stewardship of the family's assets and her ability to maintain influence within Roche.
Philanthropy
Maja Oeri is known for her dedication to the art world. She has contributed significantly to Basel's art scene, including supporting the Schaulager museum and Kunstmuseum Basel. She is also a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In 1999, she and her husband founded the Laurenz Foundation, which supports the fine arts and is named after their first-born son who died young.
