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Education: NA
Germany's richest person owns discount
supermarket giant Aldi Sud. Retailer faring well
amid economic downturn; analysts expect its 2008
sales to be up 9.4% to $33.7 billion. Sales in
the U.S. up estimated 20% last year to $7
billion. Plans to open 75 U.S. stores in 2009,
including first in New York City. With younger
brother, Theo, transformed their mother's corner
grocery store into Aldi after World War II.
Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the
stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to
the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S.
Theo got northern Germany and the rest of
Europe. Retired from daily operations. Fiercely
private: little known about him other than that
he apparently raises orchids and plays golf.
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