Ferrero entrepreneur Michele Ferrero built global confectionery empire

Michele Ferrero, the Italian entrepreneur behind the global confectionery brand Ferrero, built a business empire characterized by extreme discretion and an obsession with product perfection. Under his leadership, the company developed iconic products including Nutella in 1964, Kinder Chocolate in 1968, and Kinder Surprise in 1974.

Beyond product development, Ferrero focused on building a loyal community within his company. He implemented employee-centric policies such as above-average salaries, free transportation, and summer camps for staff children. Ferrero passed away in Monte Carlo on February 14, 2015, leaving behind a legacy and an estimated fortune of 23 billion euros.