Rolf Gerling (born 15 December 1954) is a German billionaire businessman, philanthropist, investor and heir to the Gerling-Konzern. His net worth is estimated at $2.3 billion (2024) by Forbes magazine.[1][2]

Rolf Gerling
Born (1954-12-15) 15 December 1954 (age 69)
NationalityGerman
Alma materUniversity of Zurich
Occupation(s)Businessman, investor, philanthropist, environmentalist
Known for
SpouseKatharina Gerling
Children1
FatherHans Gerling

Early life and education

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Gerling was born 15 December 1954 in Cologne, West Germany, one of three children, to Hans Gerling, then the largest insurance provider in Germany through Gerling-Konzern, and Irene "Inge" Gerling (née Uhrmacher; died 1990), an interior designer and gallery owner.[3] Gerling was educated at the Montessori school followed by Schiller-Gymnasium in Cologne. After completing his Abitur he completed an internship at Vereins- und Westbank Hamburg followed Economics studies at University of Zurich from 1974 to 1979 (Licentiate). In 1986, he completed his Doctorate.[3]

Career

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Gerling has been employed with his family firm since 1989. He inherited a 94% stake in Gerling-Konzern from his father Hans Gerling, valued at US$1.6 billion in 1992. Gerling Konzern is one of the world's largest writers of reinsurance policies. Gerling managed the firm until he sold his stake in 2005 to the Talanx Group.[4][5][6]

Today, Gerling primarily is a private investor and environmentalist. His portfolio includes real estate through companies like DufourIm AG.[7] He also operates the charitable Fondazione Gerling where he resides in Ticino, Switzerland.[8]

Private

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Gerling is married to Katharina Gerling, a German Canadian dual citizen, and resides in Tegna, Switzerland.[9] He has one daughter.

References

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  1. ^ "Rolf Gerling". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  2. ^ Peitsmeier, Henning (2005-08-12). "Der unglückliche Erbe". FAZ.NET (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  3. ^ a b "Rolf Gerling - Munzinger Biographie". www.munzinger.de. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  4. ^ "Talanx grows commercial book with Gerling buy | Business Insurance". www.businessinsurance.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  5. ^ "Commission approves Talanx's Gerling acquisition". Insurance Insider. 2006-04-10. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  6. ^ admin (2005-11-08). "Talanx in Talks to Acquire Gerling's Primary Operations; S&P, Best Place Ratings Under Review". Insurance Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  7. ^ "DufourIm AG in Zürich - Reports". Moneyhouse. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  8. ^ "Fondazione Gerling - StiftungSchweiz". stiftungen.stiftungschweiz.ch (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  9. ^ "Rolf Gerling in Tegna - Reports". Moneyhouse. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
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Further reading

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