History of Amancio Ortega in Timeline

Amancio Ortega Gaona, a Spanish billionaire entrepreneur, is the founder and former chairman of Inditex, a fashion group renowned for brands like Zara and Bershka. Known for pioneering fast fashion, Ortega's net worth in September 2024 was estimated at $134.3 billion, making him the second wealthiest person in Europe and the eleventh wealthiest globally. Notably, in 2015, he briefly held the title of the world's richest person when Inditex's stock soared, propelling his net worth to $80 billion.

March 1936: Birth of Amancio Ortega

Amancio Ortega Gaona was born in March 1936.

1963: Founding of Confecciones Goa

In 1963, Ortega established Confecciones Goa, a company that specialized in selling quilted bathrobes.

1966: Marriage to Rosalía Mera

Amancio Ortega married Rosalía Mera Goyenechea in 1966.

1975: First Zara Store Opens

Amancio Ortega and his wife, Rosalía Mera, opened the first Zara store in 1975.

1984: Birth of Marta Ortega Pérez

Marta Ortega Pérez, Amancio Ortega's daughter with Flora Pérez Marcote, was born in 1984.

1986: Divorce from Rosalía Mera

Ortega and Rosalía Mera divorced in 1986.

1999: First Published Photograph

The first photograph of Amancio Ortega was not published until 1999, highlighting his reclusiveness.

2000: Ortega's Public Appearance

In 2000, Amancio Ortega made a rare public appearance in preparation for his company's initial public offering (IPO).

2001: Marriage to Flora Pérez Marcote

Ortega married his second wife, Flora Pérez Marcote, in 2001.

2001: Inditex IPO

Ortega's company, Inditex, went public in 2001.

2009: Knight Grand Cross Recognition

Amancio Ortega was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit in 2009.

2009: Zara as Part of the Inditex Group

By 2009, Zara was a significant part of the Inditex group, which included brands like Massimo Dutti, Oysho, and Bershka, with Ortega owning 59.29% of the company.

2011: Ortega Announces Retirement

Ortega announced his retirement from Inditex in 2011, with Pablo Isla set to take over as head.

2012: Ortega's Limited Engagement with the Press

As of 2012, Ortega had only given interviews to three journalists, demonstrating his private nature.

2012: Donation to Caritas Internationalis

Ortega donated approximately €20 million to Caritas Internationalis, a Catholic relief organization, in 2012.

August 2013: Death of Rosalía Mera

Rosalía Mera, Ortega's first wife, passed away in August 2013 at 69.

2015: Ortega Briefly Becomes the World's Richest Person

In 2015, Amancio Ortega's net worth peaked at $80 billion, making him the richest person in the world for a short period.

July 2017: Philanthropic Recognition and Cancer Fight Donation

The Spanish Association of Foundations awarded Amancio Ortega for his philanthropic initiatives in July 2017. He also donated €300 million to fight cancer in Spain, used to purchase 440 cancer detection machines.

2017: Ortega Resides in A Coruña

Despite owning extensive real estate, Ortega primarily resided in his apartment in A Coruña, Spain, with his wife in 2017.

December 2019: Investment in Enagás

Pontegadea acquired a 5% stake in the energy company Enagás for €281.64 million in December 2019.

2019: Pontegadea's Real Estate Acquisitions

Ortega's Pontegadea made several real estate purchases in 2019, including a hotel in Chicago and office buildings in Washington D.C. and Seattle.

July 2020: Ortega's Property Holdings Revealed

In July 2020, it was revealed that Ortega's property holdings, managed through his investment firm Pontegadea, were worth $17.2 billion.

July 2021: Investments in Red Eléctrica and Redes Energéticas Nacionais

In July 2021, Pontegadea purchased a 5% share in Red Eléctrica and 12% in Redes Energéticas Nacionais, both energy companies operating in Spain and Portugal.