Quandt

Quandt is a German surname. It is best known for a prominent German industrial family that rose to influence in the 20th century and became closely associated with several major German companies, most notably BMW.

Günther Quandt (1881–1954) established a diversified industrial holding that grew to include interests in metalworking, manufacturing, and other sectors. Over time, the Quandt holdings came to be a significant investor in various companies, including BMW, a relationship that would shape the family’s prominence in German industry.

Herbert Quandt (1910–1988), son of Günther, expanded and solidified the family’s holdings. In 1959 he is widely credited with saving BMW from bankruptcy by acquiring a controlling stake, a move that helped position BMW for postwar growth into a leading global automaker. The Quandt family’s stake in BMW continued to be a central element of its industrial influence.

The next generation includes Stefan Quandt (born 1966) and Susanne Klatten (born 1962), children of Herbert Quandt. They inherited substantial portions of the family fortune and remain major shareholders in BMW. Susanne Klatten is also a significant investor in Altana, a German pharmaceutical and chemical company, and is frequently cited among Germany’s wealthiest individuals. Stefan Quandt is similarly involved in family holdings and broader investment activities.

Today, the Quandt name is associated with one of Germany’s wealthiest and most influential industrial families. The family’s legacy centers on automotive, chemical, and other industrial interests, with BMW playing a persistent throughline from the mid-20th century to the present.