Early Life
Nicolas Berggruen was born on August 10, 1961, in Paris, France. He is a dual citizen of Germany and the United States. He is the son of art collector Heinz Berggruen and actress Bettina Moissi. Berggruen attended École alsacienne in Paris, Le Rosey in Switzerland, and earned a bachelor's degree in Finance and International Business from New York University in 1981.
Rise to Success
Berggruen's career began with early business experience. In 1984, he founded Berggruen Holdings, Inc., an investment vehicle for the Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust. He started investing in real estate and public stocks, later expanding to private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. In 1988, he co-founded Alpha Investment Management, a hedge fund. Berggruen has made over 100 direct control and real estate investments globally. In 2010, he founded the Berggruen Institute, a non-profit think tank focused on governance.
Key Business Strategies
Berggruen Holdings invests across various industries, continents, and asset classes, including real estate, alternative energy, and financial instruments. The company focuses on long-term, value-oriented investments. Berggruen is known for acquiring underperforming companies and turning them around through strategic restructuring. His investments include residential and commercial real estate in multiple cities worldwide.
Philanthropy
Berggruen is committed to giving the majority of his wealth through the Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust. He joined The Giving Pledge in 2010. The Berggruen Institute supports various initiatives focused on global governance, democracy, and cultural understanding.