| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ingvar Feodor Kamprad |
| Birthdate | March 30, 1926 |
| Birthplace | Småland, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Occupation | Founder of IKEA |
| Net Worth | $58.7 billion (at the time of his death) |
| Notable Achievements | – Founded IKEA, one of the largest furniture retailers in the world <br> – Adopted flat-pack design and self-assembly furniture which revolutionized the industry <br> – Was known for his frugal lifestyle and simple clothing choices <br> – Received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to business and society |
| Controversies | – Accusations of Nazi affiliation during his youth <br> – Tax evasion scandals in the 1980s and 1990s |
| Philanthropy | – Established the Kamprad Family Foundation, which supports research and development in entrepreneurship and innovation <br> – Donated to various causes including education, healthcare, and disaster relief |
| Quotes | – “The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.” <br> – “We all need to be childish. We all need to have that sense of humor. Have fun, relax.” <br> – “I’m not afraid of turning 80 and I have lots of things to do. I don’t have time for dying.” <br> – “To design a desk which may cost $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer, but to design a functional and good desk which shall cost only $50 can only be done by the very best.” <br> – “Waste of resources is a mortal sin at IKEA.” |
Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish business magnate who founded IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer. He was born on March 30, 1926, in Småland, Sweden, and passed away on January 27, 2018, in Älmhult, Sweden, at the age of 91. Throughout his life, Kamprad had an estimated net worth of $58.7 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world.
Kamprad was known for his frugal lifestyle, despite his immense wealth. He drove a 1993 Volvo, flew economy class, and encouraged his employees to use both sides of a sheet of paper. He also lived in a small house in Switzerland and regularly dined at IKEA’s cafeteria.
Kamprad founded IKEA in 1943 when he was just 17 years old. The name IKEA comes from his initials, as well as the first letters of the farm where he grew up and the village where it was located. The company began as a mail-order business that sold pens, wallets, and other small items, but eventually shifted its focus to furniture.
Under Kamprad’s leadership, IKEA became known for its affordable, stylish furniture that was designed to be assembled at home. Today, the company has over 400 stores in 52 countries and employs more than 200,000 people.
In addition to his work with IKEA, Kamprad was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Swedish fascist party in the 1940s, but later distanced himself from the group and became a supporter of the Swedish Social Democrats.
Kamprad’s legacy has been mixed. While he is credited with revolutionizing the furniture industry and making stylish design accessible to millions of people around the world, he has also been criticized for his past association with fascist groups and for his company’s labor practices.
Despite these criticisms, Kamprad’s impact on the business world is undeniable. He will be remembered as one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of the 20th century.
Timeline:
1926 – Ingvar Kamprad is born on March 30th in Pjatteryd, Sweden.
1943 – At the age of 17, Kamprad starts his own business, selling pens, wallets, and other small items.
1947 – Kamprad incorporates IKEA, using his initials and the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up.
1956 – IKEA introduces its first flat-pack furniture design, the Lovet table.
1965 – IKEA opens its first store outside of Sweden, in Norway.
1978 – IKEA opens its first store in the United States, in Philadelphia.
1986 – Kamprad steps down as CEO of IKEA and becomes senior advisor.
1994 – Kamprad returns as CEO of IKEA.
2009 – Kamprad announces he will step down from the board of IKEA, but will still have an advisory role.
2018 – Kamprad passes away on January 27th at the age of 91.
Here are 5 interesting facts about Ingvar Kamprad and 5 quotes from him:
5 Interesting Facts:
- Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA, one of the largest furniture retailers in the world, at the age of 17.
- Despite being one of the wealthiest people in the world, Kamprad was known for his frugal lifestyle and often drove a 1993 Volvo.
- Kamprad had dyslexia and used his difficulties with reading and writing to develop IKEA’s unique furniture assembly instructions.
- In addition to founding IKEA, Kamprad also owned several other companies and invested in real estate and forestry.
- Kamprad was heavily involved in philanthropy and donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes throughout his life.
5 Quotes:
- “The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.”
- “The IKEA spirit is strong and living reality. Simplicity in our behavior gives us strength. Simplicity and humbleness characterize us in our relations with each other, our suppliers and our customers.”
- “To design a desk which may cost $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer, but to design a functional and good desk which shall cost $50 can only be done by the very best.”
- “Only those who are asleep make no mistakes.”
- “We all need to be reminded that what we do for a living is not the be-all and end-all.”
