Harry Oppenheimer Entrepreneur, former president of an international diamond processing corporation Date of Birth: 28.10.1908 Country: South Africa

Biography of Harry Oppenheimer

Harry Oppenheimer was a renowned entrepreneur and former president of an international diamond-processing corporation. He was born into a Jewish family with German roots in the diamond capital of Kimberley, South Africa, but spent most of his life in Johannesburg. At the age of 13, he underwent the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, signifying his coming of age, at the Kimberley synagogue.

After completing his early education in Johannesburg, Oppenheimer was accepted into Charterhouse, a prestigious school in England. He then proceeded to specialize in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Christ Church College, Oxford University, graduating in 1931. Despite marrying his future wife Bridget and joining the Anglican Church, Oppenheimer remained connected to his Jewish heritage.

He established connections with the diamond-processing and sorting industry in Israel to secure diamond supplies. Oppenheimer served as the president of Anglo-American Corporation for a quarter of a century until his departure in 1982. Simultaneously, he held the position of president of the international diamond-processing corporation, De Beers, for 27 years, stepping down in 1984. His son, Nick Oppenheimer, succeeded him as the deputy chairman of Anglo-American Corporation in 1983 and became the president of De Beers in 1988.

Oppenheimer briefly served as the opposition speaker on topics such as economics, constitution, and finance from 1948 to 1957. His strong opposition to apartheid was well-known during that time, as was his philanthropic activities and entrepreneurial ventures. He also provided support for philanthropy in Israel.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Oppenheimer financially backed the Progressive Federal Party, an anti-apartheid political party that later merged with the Democratic Alliance.