Early Life
Susanne Hanna Ursula Klatten, born on April 28, 1962, in Bad Homburg, West Germany, is the daughter of Herbert and Johanna Quandt. She grew up in a wealthy family and received a privileged upbringing. After completing her degree in business finance, she started her career in advertising.
Rise to Success
Klatten's professional journey includes roles at Young & Rubicam, Dresdner Bank, McKinsey, and Bankhaus Reuschel & Co. Following her father's death, she inherited a significant stake in Altana AG, a pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturer, and transformed it into a world-class corporation. In 2006, she oversaw the sale of Altana's pharmaceutical division for €4.5 billion. Klatten is also a major shareholder of BMW and sits on the company's supervisory board.
Key Business Strategies
Her key business strategies involve strategic investments and active involvement in the companies she owns. Klatten's approach includes transforming companies, as seen with Altana, and making smart investments in diverse sectors such as renewable energy and technology through her investment firm, SKion GmbH. She also increased her stake in BMW.
Philanthropy
Klatten is known for her philanthropic efforts, supporting education, medicine, and cultural institutions. Her foundation, the SKala Initiative, focuses on addressing issues like education inequality and youth development. She has donated to the Christian Democratic Union.
