Economic Pioneer of the Post-war Period
Establishment and Expansion of the Horten Department Store Chain
Helmut Horten
In the period following the Second World War, Helmut Horten established a modern department store chain for the time in the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany. He began his entrepreneurial career in the 1930s with his first investments.
The foundation has opened its archives for research into his activities during this period: the expert opinion by Professor Peter Höres on Helmut Horten's activities in the Third Reich can be read in full on our homepage.
To the report (only available in German)
At the end of 1968, Helmut Horten retired to Switzerland selling the shares in his companies. Until his death in 1987, he devoted himself to establishing the Foundation. The widow of the deceased founder, who was a member of the Board of Trustees until her death, has organised her estate outside of the Helmut Horten Foundation.
1909 - 1987
The founder in the press
Articles and scientific reports on Helmut Horten
Helmut Horten during the Second World War
An expert opinion on Horten's wealth and business development
Helmut Horten was regarded a "liberal", yet suspicions have been surrounding the build-up of his fortune repeatedly. In the course of this, Prof. Hoeres of the University of Würzburg prepared an expert opinion on Helmut Horten's asset accumulation and business expansion in the context of "Aryanisation" during the time of the "Third Reich".
The foundation opened its archives to the researchers to support them in their work. A detailed insight into Helmut Horten's life and actions during the Second World War can be found in an article published in the FAZ and in the original expert opinion.
December 1942
THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
The Helmut Horten Foundation can reflect with pride on its 51 years of providing extensive support for medical advancement.
Buoyed by encouraging results from medical research, the Board of Trustees is committed to continuing their work over the coming decades with the same passion for research, patient well-being, and medical care that has distinguished the Foundation thus far.