Early Life
Amancio Ortega Gaona was born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbas, León, Spain. He was the youngest of four children. His father worked as a railway worker, and his mother was a maid. At the age of 14, he left school and began working in the garment industry.
Rise to Success
Ortega's career began with a delivery boy job for a men's shirt store. He later managed a clothing store, gaining insights into manufacturing and customer needs. In 1975, he and his then-wife Rosalía Mera opened the first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain. This marked the beginning of Inditex, which would later include brands like Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, and Bershka. The company expanded internationally with its first store in Porto, Portugal, in 1988, and later in New York (1989) and Paris (1990).
Key Business Strategies
Ortega revolutionized the fashion industry with his fast-fashion model. This involved a vertically integrated supply chain, allowing Zara to quickly respond to fashion trends. Key strategies include:
- Rapid design and production cycles.
- Minimal advertising, relying on prime retail locations.
- Emphasis on customer feedback and adapting to market demands.
Philanthropy
Ortega established the Amancio Ortega Foundation in 2001, focusing on education and social welfare. The foundation has made significant donations, including $107 million for flood relief in Valencia in 2024 and €300 million to fight cancer across Spain. It also runs a scholarship program for students to study in the U.S. and Canada.