On August 11, the city of Berlin honored WERNER OTTO as honorary citizen. Werner Otto turns 100 on August 13.
Otto is the largest mall operator and developer in Europe, with 112 shopping centers across the continent. The same day Werner Otto laid foundation of another activity, this one dedicated to caring for poor, elderly residents of Berlin and Brandenburg.
The thrice-married Otto has five children, now between 42 and 68. Michael Otto, 66, is chairman of the Otto Group. His eldest daughter Ingvild lives in Munich and collects art. 45-year-old daughter Katharina lives in New York while brothers Frank, Michael and Alexander all continue to live in Hamburg.
"My father said that he had an insane amount of luck in his life, naturally with his health and with some of the very important changes in his life. And therefore for him, it was always important from the beginning to give back a lot to society," said son Alexander.
Today, Werner Otto lives in Berlin with his wife Maren, who is 32 years younger. [rc]
Based on report from: Deutsche Welle
August 13, 2009
GERMANY: Retail pioneer Werner Otto turns 100
.
BERLIN, Germany / Deutsche Welle / August 13, 2009
By Verena Herb
Editor: Sam Edmonds
On August 11, the city of Berlin honored WERNER OTTO as honorary citizen. Werner Otto turns 100 on August 13.
Otto is the largest mall operator and developer in Europe, with 112 shopping centers across the continent. The same day Werner Otto laid foundation of another activity, this one dedicated to caring for poor, elderly residents of Berlin and Brandenburg.
The thrice-married Otto has five children, now between 42 and 68. Michael Otto, 66, is chairman of the Otto Group. His eldest daughter Ingvild lives in Munich and collects art. 45-year-old daughter Katharina lives in New York while brothers Frank, Michael and Alexander all continue to live in Hamburg.
"My father said that he had an insane amount of luck in his life, naturally with his health and with some of the very important changes in his life. And therefore for him, it was always important from the beginning to give back a lot to society," said son Alexander.
Today, Werner Otto lives in Berlin with his wife Maren, who is 32 years younger. [rc]
Based on report from: Deutsche Welle
On August 11, the city of Berlin honored WERNER OTTO as honorary citizen. Werner Otto turns 100 on August 13.
Otto is the largest mall operator and developer in Europe, with 112 shopping centers across the continent. The same day Werner Otto laid foundation of another activity, this one dedicated to caring for poor, elderly residents of Berlin and Brandenburg.
The thrice-married Otto has five children, now between 42 and 68. Michael Otto, 66, is chairman of the Otto Group. His eldest daughter Ingvild lives in Munich and collects art. 45-year-old daughter Katharina lives in New York while brothers Frank, Michael and Alexander all continue to live in Hamburg.
"My father said that he had an insane amount of luck in his life, naturally with his health and with some of the very important changes in his life. And therefore for him, it was always important from the beginning to give back a lot to society," said son Alexander.
Today, Werner Otto lives in Berlin with his wife Maren, who is 32 years younger. [rc]
Based on report from: Deutsche Welle
