In this success post, we are going to share the story of Dietmar Hopp, a German billionaire software entrepreneur. He was one of the founders of SAP AG in the year 1972 with other former IBM employees, Hans Werner Hector, Hasso Plattner, Klaus Tschira, and Claus Wellenreuther.
Dietmar Early Life
Dietmar was born on the 26th of April 1940 in Heilberg, Germany. Hopp completed his degree from University Karlsruhe in Master of Science. In the beginning, Hopp was working for IBM as a software developer, and later on, with four other friends, he left the company and formed SAP SE.
Dietmar Hopp Family
Dietmar is married to Anneliese Zeuner, and they both have two children, Daniel Wolfgang Hopp and Oliver Hopp. Dietmar also has a brother known as Ruediger Hopp, who is a biotechnology investor and a co-owner of Divini Hopp Biotech Holding.
Dietmar Hopp Career
Dietmar was the CEO of SAP AG from the year 1988 until 1998, Chairman of its supervisory board from the year 1998 until 2003, and member of the board from 2003 until 2005. He kept around 10% of the company shares after leaving the board. After Hopp left in the year 2005, the street on which the SAP AG headquarters are located was renamed from Neurottstraße to Dietmar-Hopp-Allee, in honor of Mr. Hopp.
In the year 2006, Hopp transferred 70% of his wealth to a charitable foundation, Dietmar Stiftung, creating one of the largest foundations in Europe. The foundation supports education, sports, medicine, and social programs.
Hopp is the Chief Financial Backer of the German football club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. When Hopp, who had played in the club youth setup, started supporting the club in the year 2000, Hoffenheim was playing the fifth division of German football.
Hopp is the owner of the Domaine de Terre Blanche, a resort in the South of France, which he bought from the actor Sean Connery.
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