Historical Context and Foundation Legacy

In 2019, an independent historical study was commissioned to examine the early business activities of Helmut Horten. Conducted by the German contemporary historian Professor Peter Hoeres, the research was first published as an expert report in 2022 and subsequently, together with Maximilian Kutzner, as a comprehensive peer-reviewed book in 2024 (ISBN: 978-3-451-39544-4).

In the period following the Second World War, Helmut Horten established one of Germany’s leading department store groups. He began his entrepreneurial career in the 1930s with his first business investments. To support independent historical research into this period, the Foundation opened its archives to researchers.

At the end of 1968, Helmut Horten retired to Switzerland following the sale of his business interests. In 1971, he established the Foundation. Helmut Horten passed away in 1987. His widow remained a member of the Foundation’s Board until her death in 2022.

The Foundation is established under Swiss law and is subject to the supervision of the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (FSAF). The Foundation is independent and is solely committed to the responsible use of its resources in pursuit of its philanthropic mission to improve the lives of patients through medical research and innovation.