Ingvar Kamprad

Date of Birth: March 30, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: January 27, 2018

Biography

Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish business magnate best known as the founder of IKEA, the multinational conglomerate that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories. Born on March 30, 1926, in Pjätteryd, Sweden, Kamprad exhibited entrepreneurial skills from a young age, selling matches, fish, Christmas tree decorations, and seeds to neighbors. He founded IKEA in 1943 when he was just 17 years old, initially as a mail-order business. The name IKEA is derived from his own initials (I.K.) and the first letters of the family farm Elmtaryd and the nearby village Agunnaryd. His innovative approach to furniture, focusing on cost-effectiveness and functionality, revolutionized the industry. IKEA’s flat-pack concept, which allows customers to assemble the furniture themselves, became a hallmark of the brand. Kamprad was known for his frugality and down-to-earth lifestyle despite his immense wealth. He passed away on January 27, 2018, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and efficiency that continues to influence the global furniture market.

5 Interesting Facts about Ingvar Kamprad

1. Kamprad started IKEA as a mail-order business at the age of 17.

2. The name IKEA is an acronym for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.

3. He was known for his frugality, often flying economy class and driving an old Volvo.

4. Kamprad lived in Switzerland for over 40 years before returning to Sweden in 2014.

5. He struggled with dyslexia, which influenced his decision to use simple, memorable product names.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ingvar Kamprad

1. “The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.”

2. “Happiness is not reaching your goal. Happiness is being on the way.”

3. “A company that feels it has reached its goal will quickly stagnate and lose its vitality.”

4. “Waste of resources is a mortal sin at IKEA.”

5. “Simplicity and common sense should characterize planning and strategic direction.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Ingvar Kamprad’s net worth was estimated to be around $58.7 billion.

Children

Ingvar Kamprad had four children: three sons named Peter, Jonas, and Mathias with his first wife, Kerstin Wadling, and a daughter named Annika with his second wife, Margaretha Stennert.