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Donald Hess from Bern is dead.
Donald Hess († 86) is dead. He fell asleep peacefully surrounded by his family, his family wrote in the obituary published in Tamedia newspapers on Wednesday.
Hess recently made an international name for himself through wineries, as newspapers wrote. In its obituary, the “Handelzeitung” described him as “one of the really great Swiss entrepreneurs”.
The death notice features a quote from American entrepreneur Steve Jobs. In German it means: “Have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition.”
The Career of Donald Hess
Hess had done this. The entrepreneur began his career in his family’s Steinholzli brewery in Köniz near Bern. For example, he supplied the retailer Migros with non-alcoholic beer.
Hess switched from the beer to the water. With two partners, he bought the mineral spring in Vals, as Tamedia wrote. Around 20 years ago, he sold the mineral water, which had meanwhile been successful throughout Switzerland, to the American beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola. At that time, analysts estimated the purchase price at CHF 100 to 120 million.
In addition to the beverage brand, Hess also invested in real estate and an art collection. In 2007, his company Hess Family Estates relocated its headquarters from Bern to Luxembourg. (SDA)