Early Life and Education
Marcel Herrmann Telles was born on February 23, 1950, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He earned a degree in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He also completed the OPM program at Harvard University.
Rise to Success
Telles began his career in 1972 at Banco Garantia, where he eventually became a partner. From 1974 to 1989, he served as the Head Trader at Garantia Merchant Bank. In 1989, he became the CEO of Brahma, a Brazilian brewery. Telles co-founded 3G Capital in late 2004 and became a board member. In 2010, 3G Capital bought Burger King. In 2023, Telles gifted his stake in AB InBev to his son, Max Van Hoegaerden Herrmann Telles.
Key Business Strategies
Telles is known for his strategic investments and operational expertise. He, along with partners Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira, acquired a controlling stake in the Brazilian brewery Brahma. They merged Brahma with Companhia Antarctica Paulista to form Ambev. Ambev later merged with Interbrew to form InBev. In 2008, InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch, forming Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev). In 2013, 3G Capital acquired H.J. Heinz & Company, merging it with Kraft.
Philanthropy
Telles, along with his business partners, has contributed to several nonprofit organizations, aiming to improve the quality of education in Brazil. One notable effort is Fundação Estudar, which supports Brazilian students with scholarships and leadership development programs.
