Amancio Ortega Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Children, Zara

Amancio Ortega Gaona is a Spanish billionaire businessman renowned as the founder and former chairman of Inditex, the multinational fashion group known for its iconic brands, including Zara and Bershka.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of fast fashion, Ortega began his career in 1963 with a bathrobe company and, in 1975 co-founded the first Zara store with his then-wife, Rosalía Mera.

Under his visionary leadership, Inditex grew into one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, with more than 7,500 stores worldwide.

As the head of the Ortega family, he is recognized as the second wealthiest retailer worldwide.

Profile

• Full Name: Amancio Ortega Gaona
• Stage Name: Amancio Ortega
• Born: March 28, 1936
• Age: 88 years old
• Birthplace: Busdongo de Arbas, Spain
• Nationality: Spanish
• Occupation: Spanish billionaire businessman
• Height: 1.73 m
• Spouse: Flora Pérez (m. 2001), Rosalía Mera (m. 1966–1986)
• Siblings: Josefa Ortega Gaona, Pilar Ortega Gaona and Antonio Ortega
• Spouse: Flora Pérez (m. 2001), Rosalía Mera (m. 1966–1986)
• Children: Marta Ortega, Sandra Ortega Mera and Marcos Ortega Mera
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $134.3 billion

Early Life And Education

Amancio Ortega Gaona was born on March 28, 1936, in Busdongo de Arbas, Spain, the youngest of four children. His father, Antonio Ortega Rodríguez, was a railway worker, and his mother, Josefa Gaona Hernández, was a housemaid.

Ortega grew up alongside an older brother, Antonio, and two older sisters, Josefa and Pilar. Due to financial pressures, he left school at the age of 14 to help support his family and foregoing formal education. Ortega is of Spanish descent and practices Roman Catholicism.

Career

Amancio Ortega’s journey into the world of fashion and retail began at a young age. At 14, he left school to work as a delivery boy for a local clothing store.

This early experience ignited his passion for fashion, leading him to founded Confecciones Goa in 1963, a company specializing in quilted bathrobes. His entrepreneurial drive and keen understanding of the fashion industry set the foundation for one of the largest global retail empires.

In 1975, Ortega, alongside his then-wife Rosalía Mera, opened the first Zara store in La Coruña, Spain. Zara’s success led to rapid expansion, both within Spain and internationally, making it a prominent player in the fashion industry.

By 2009, Zara became part of Inditex (Industria de Diseño Textil), a company Ortega co-founded. This company included several other well-known brands, such as Massimo Dutti, Bershka, and Pull and Bear. Under Ortega’s leadership, Inditex grew into one of the largest fashion retailers in the world, with over 6,000 stores and more than 92,000 employees.

Ortega’s innovative approach to fast fashion revolutionized the industry, focusing on quick production cycles and responsive pricing to meet consumer demand. Despite his immense success, Ortega maintained a private lifestyle, rarely granting interviews and preferring to focus on business operations.

In 2011, he announced his retirement from Inditex but continued to serve as a board member. Ortega’s philanthropic efforts flourished, mainly through the Amancio Ortega Foundation, which focuses on education and social initiatives. By 2024, Ortega’s net worth is estimated at $134.3 billion, solidifying his position as one of Europe’s wealthiest individuals.

Social Media

• Twitter handle: @_AmancioOrtega

Personal Life

Amancio Ortega, the Spanish billionaire and founder of Inditex, has been married twice. His first marriage was to Rosalía Mera, from 1966 until their divorce in 1986.

They had two children, Sandra and Marcos Ortega Mera. Mera passed away in 2013. In 2001, Ortega married Flora Pérez Marcote, with whom he has a daughter, Marta Ortega Pérez, born in 1984. Ortega is known for keeping his personal life private and maintaining a low profile.

Net Worth

As of January 2025, Amancio Ortega’s net worth is estimated at $134.3 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and the second-richest in Europe after Bernard Arnault.

His fortune primarily comes from his significant ownership in Inditex, Zara’s parent company, and his extensive real estate investments through Pontegadea.