Richard Oetker

Richard Oetker owns 12.5% of Dr. August Oetker, a $13 billion (sales) conglomerate with interests in food, beverages, financial services and hotels

The business began in 1891 when his great-grandfather, pharmacist August Oetker, started selling non-perishable baking powder.

After World War II, Richard’s father, former Nazi SS officer Rudolf August Oetker, developed additional food products and successfully diversified.

Brother Alfred was expected to take over as general partner in 2010, but he was blocked by older siblings, who instead crowned Richard.

In 2015, with a proxy fight pending before arbitrators, the groups agreed to recruit an outside CEO when Richard retired, which he did in 2017.