Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler is one of the owners of Schaeffler Group, one of the world’s largest producers of rolling bearings. The other owner is her son Georg F. W. Schaeffler.

• Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann and her son Georg own Schaeffler Group, one of the world’s largest ball bearing and machine component producers.
• She took over in 1996, following the death of her husband (also Georg) who had founded the company with his brother Wilhelm in 1946.
• In 2008, the company took over tire and auto parts giant Continental AG in a $15-billion, debt-financed deal.
• In the wake of the financial crisis, it seemed the high-wire act might fail. But as the auto market rebounded, Continental‘s share price soared.
• Maria-Elisabeth and Georg’s combined 46% stake in Continental accounts for most of their wealth.