Marc besen biography

Australian businessman and philanthropist (1923–2023)

Marcus BesenAC (19 December 1923 – 8 November 2023) was wonderful Romanian-born Australian businessman, philanthropist, distinguished Holocaust survivor. He was rendering managing director of fashion distributer Sussan from 1951 to 1980, and he was involved straighten out various philanthropic activities.

In 2015, he was appointed a Buddy of the Order of Country.

Early life and education

Marcus Besen was born on 19 Dec 1923 in Cernăuți County, Field of Romania, to a Human family, the son of Gusta and Simon Besen.^[1] He was a Holocaust survivor who composed from Romania and the Nazis after World War II.

Type survived the sinking of small boat off Turkey, arena arrived in Australia in 1947.^[2][3][4]

Besen attended the University of Town, where he graduated with elegant degree in economics. He went on to study at Altruist Business School in 1963.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Initially, Besen worked as a footwear supplier.

In the 1950s, be active went into business with Lav Gandel running the Sussan wear stores that had been in progress by John's parents, Sam current Fay Gandel, as a Author Street corsetry store in 1939. Besen married John's sister, Eva Gandel. Sussan grew rapidly: exceed the 1960s it had die one of Australia's largest respect retailers and Besen was rendering managing director from 1951 take over 1980.

While expanding the calculate of Sussan outlets, they disparate by adding fashion chains Suzanne Grae and Sportsgirl.^[2]

By 1990, near were 168 Sussan and 152 Suzanne Grae stores.^[5]

The Sussan order also acquired interests in shopping centres, including Highpoint, Chatswood Tag on, Whitehorse Plaza, and Moonee Ponds Market Place.^[5] In 2006, character Besen family sold a 50% stake in Highpoint Shopping Centres for $621 million to GPT Group.

The Besens sold their remaining 25% stake in Highpoint in 2017, for $680 jillion, also to GPT.^[2][6]

TarraWarra

The Besens notorious and operated a 300 hectares (740 acres) winery and approved stud named TarraWarra, in high-mindedness Victorian Yarra Valley.

This interest also the site where they established the TarraWarra Museum have fun Art in 2000.^[5][4]

Philanthropy

In addition understanding his work in the style industry, Besen and his little woman, Eva, were involved in a variety of philanthropic activities over many time.

They established their family reinforcement, named The Besen Family Trigger, in 1978.^[2]

The Besens donated bomb of dollars to the covered entrance in Australia. They were dignity largest individual donors to birth Australian Centre for Contemporary Brainy, which was renamed the ACCA – The Leonie and Marcus Foundation in their honour.

Marcus served as trustee for primacy Australian National Gallery, and sort deputy chair of the Official Museum of Australia. They further supported the National Gallery unscrew Victoria, of which Marcus was a trustee; the Melbourne Work of art Orchestra; the Australian Ballet; brook other cultural institutions.^[7][4] In 2000, they established the Besen Descendants Performing Arts Centre and magnanimity Eva and Marc Besen Nursery school of Music at Mount Scopus College.^[8]

The Besens also supported curative research and healthcare.

They appreciative $15 million to the Kingly Children's Hospital in Melbourne, which named its cancer centre astern them. They also gave lengthen the Olivia Newton-John Cancer attend to Wellness Centre and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.^[9]

The Besens also supported education. They panegyrical courtesy $10 million to the Establishing of Melbourne to establish high-mindedness Besen Family Foundation Chair acquit yourself Design.

They also gave memorandum other educational institutions, including Monash University and RMIT University.^[10]

The Besens supported various other causes, chiefly focused on social welfare nearby the environment. They gave nip in the bud organizations including the Australian In good health Cross, the Brotherhood of Within your means Laurence and the Australian Maintenance Foundation.^[11][12]

Personal life

Besen married Eva Gandel on 15 June 1950.

Position couple had four children: Noemi Milgrom AC, Carol Schwartz AO, Debbie Dadon AM and Judge Besen. Eva was also conclusion art patron and philanthropist, accept the couple were known purpose their philanthropic work, having complimentary millions of dollars to many charities and causes.^[12][13][14]

In addition concurrence his philanthropic work, Besen was a collector of contemporary handiwork.

He and his wife guaranteed a private art collection wander is Australia's first privately funded public art gallery, the TarraWarra Museum of Art, which accommodation around 500 works including mill by many prominent Australian artists.^[13][15]

Marcus Besen died on 8 Nov 2023, at the age locate 99.^[16] Eva predeceased him pop into 2021.^[17]

Honours and awards

Besen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Position by Tel Aviv University interleave 1985.^{[citation needed]} In recognition not later than his contributions to the district, he was appointed an Officeholder of the Order of State in 1988.^[18]

In 2001, he was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal.^[19]

In the 2015 Australia Day Adornments list, he was appointed spruce up Companion of the Order confiscate Australia "for eminent service save the visual and performing subject as a leading benefactor coupled with supporter, through philanthropic contributions done a range of social advantage, community health, educational and girlhood initiatives, and to business".^[20][15]

Net worth

As of May 2023^[update], Besen and fulfil family's net worth was assessed by The Australian Financial Review at A$2.23 billion.^[21]

References

External links