Rolf Gerling
#1735

Rolf Gerling

Germany 71 years old

Overview

Source of Wealth
Insurance
Residence
Zurich
Education
University of Zurich (Bachelor of Arts/Science)
Marital Status
Married
Children
3

Biography

Rolf Gerling inherited insurer Gerling Konzern, showed little interest in managing it and saw the legacy plunge into turmoil.

His grandfather Robert founded the business in 1904 and his father, Hans, expanded it into a global insurance group. Hans died in 1992.

Mismanagement, losses from the September 11 attacks and costly asbestos claims led Rolf to sell the company for an estimated $1 billion in 2005.

His portfolio includes real estate through companies like DufourIm AG, which is headed by long-time Gerling confidant Heino von Have.

A passionate environmentalist, Gerling leads a withdrawn life in Switzerland.

About

In the 1990s, Gerling was instrumental in getting 50 insurance companies to sign a UN pledge to consider environmental problems in their business practices.

He attended a Montessori school as a child and studied analytical psychology at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich.