Klaus Schwab Biography: Age, Education, Parents, Net Worth, Quotes, Wikipedia, Nationality, Ethnicity, Children

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Klaus Schwab is a prominent German engineer and economist best known as the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), an international organization committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation.

Born in Ravensburg, Germany, in 1938, Schwab established the WEF in 1971, initially as the European Management Forum. Over the years, it has evolved into a leading platform for dialogue among business, political, and civil society leaders.

Profile

• Full name: Klaus Martin Schwab
• Date of birth: March 30, 1938
• Age: 87 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Ravensburg, Germany
• Nationality: German
• Profession: Engineer, Economist, Founder of the World Economic Forum
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
• Parents: Eugen Wilhelm Schwab and Erika Epprecht
• Siblings: Hans Ernst Schwab
• Spouse: Hilde Schwab (married 1971)
• Children: Nicole Schwab, Oliver Schwab
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Klaus Schwab is now at the age of 87. He was born on March 30, 1938, in Ravensburg, Germany to Eugen Wilhelm Schwab and Erika Epprecht. His early life was shaped by the historical context of post-World War II Germany.

Schwab’s father was a successful businessman who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility toward society. He attended the Humanistisches Gymnasium in Ravensburg before pursuing higher education.

Schwab graduated from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1962. He then earned a doctorate in engineering from ETH Zurich in 1966.

Additionally, he obtained a doctorate in economics from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and later completed a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1967.

Personal Life

Klaus Schwab has been married to Hilde Schwab since 1971. The couple has two children, Nicole and Oliver. Hilde has played an active role alongside Klaus in various initiatives related to social entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

In 1998, they co-founded the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship to promote innovative social solutions globally.

Career

Klaus Schwab’s career began with his involvement in academia and business management before founding the World Economic Forum. After serving as an assistant to the Director-General of the German Machine-Building Association (VDMA), he became a member of the managing board at Sulzer Escher Wyss AG in Zurich.

In 1971, he established what would become known as the World Economic Forum. Initially focused on management practices in Europe, it evolved into an influential platform where leaders from various sectors meet to discuss pressing global issues.

Under his leadership, the WEF has expanded its scope to include annual meetings in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, which attract heads of state, CEOs, and thought leaders from around the world.

Schwab has authored several influential books addressing economic trends and technological advancements. His notable works include Modern Enterprise Management (1970) and The Fourth Industrial Revolution (2016), which explores how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and societies.

Awards

• Honorary doctorates from various universities
• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
• Grand Cross with Star of the National Order of Germany
• Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG) from Queen Elizabeth II

Net Worth

Klaus Schwab’s net worth is estimated at $5 million, his extensive career as an economist and founder of a major international organization suggests that he has achieved significant financial stability through various roles and initiatives.

Controversy

Klaus Schwab’s prominence as a global leader has not come without controversy. His advocacy for stakeholder capitalism and public-private partnerships has drawn criticism from some quarters who argue that such approaches can lead to corporate overreach or insufficient accountability to citizens.

Critics have raised concerns regarding the influence wielded by elite organizations like the WEF over global policy decisions. Some argue that discussions at forums such as Davos tend to favor corporate interests over those of ordinary citizens or marginalized communities.

This perception has fueled skepticism about whether such gatherings genuinely address pressing social issues or merely serve as platforms for networking among powerful individuals.

Social Media

• Instagram: @klaus___schwab
• Twitter: @ProfKlausSchwab

Books

• Modern Enterprise Management (1970)
• The Fourth Industrial Revolution (2016)
• Shaping The Fourth Industrial Revolution (2018)

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