The CEO Magazine EMEA – April 2018

CEO CV

The man behind Zara is the world’s wealthiest

retailer with an estimated net worth of

US$67.5 billion. He’s equally famous for keeping

a low profile. Here’s what you need to know.

CAREER IN BRIEF

1950

Leaves school to work as a shop hand at a local

shirtmaker in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain.

1966

Marries Rosalía Mera.

1972

Founds his first business, Confecciones Goa,

to sell bathrobes.

1975

Along with his wife, Rosalía Mera,

Amancio opens the first Zara store.

1985

Founds Inditex, Zara’s parent company.

1988

Inditex goes global; first Portugal, with the US and

then France following in the next few years. Inditex

spreads into many more countries during the 90s.

2000

Appears in public for the first time ever,

in the lead-up to Inditex’s initial public offering.

2001

Marries Flora Pérez Marcote, having

divorced Rosalía 15 years prior.

2011

Retires as Inditex’s CEO, but remains

on the board.

2012

Donates €20 million to Caritas Internationalis,

a Catholic relief organisation.

AMANCIO

ORTEGA

“ Die of success? Give me a

break! We’ve only just started!”

“ Attempt to seduce

the customer with

the latest fashion,

the finest design

and the most

attentive service.”

THE PINNACLE

THE HOW-TO...

“ One thing hasn’t changed –

the innovative spirit and urge

for improvement that was the

driving force back then.”

ON PROGRESS