Erling Persson

Persson opened Hennes in 1947 as a women's clothing retailer. Buying Mauritz Widforss in 1968 brought menswear into the business and produced the Hennes & Mauritz name. The 1974 stock-market listing accompanied expansion while the family kept a substantial ownership interest. Later international growth under his son Stefan built on that base, distinguishing the original retail founder from the next generation's contribution to the family fortune.