The life of the owner of ASOS after the tragedy of the loss of three children

Anders Holch Povlsen, the 46-year-old Danish entrepreneur who, on Easter Sunday, lost three of his four children during the attack in Sri Lanka, Alfred, Alma and Agnes, gained a reputation without Want it. The richest man in his country, with a fortune of 7,000 million euros, according to Forbes magazine, he was a big unknown. So little information has been processed about him that his compatriots have not badociated the brands of clothing they wear, such as Vero Moda, Only or Jack & Jones, with the owner of Bestseller, the family business that encompbades.

The attack and the tragedy experienced gave visibility, while half of the world was upset by images of the burial officiated by his three children in the cathedral of Aarhus. At his doors, Anders and his wife Anne watched with enthusiasm the three white coffins who were carrying their children, who had between 5 and 15 years old. They were in the hands of Astrid, 12, the only one who survived. All three cried, as did many participants, including the Danish Crown Princes and their four children. They have been friends for years and have shared vacations and many moments of intimacy.

Holch Povlsen live in Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city, where their children attended a public school with a triple motto: camaraderie, professionalism and diversity. A place where the management of the center had to call on psychologists and therapists to help students overcome the trauma caused by this loss.

The businessman always avoided showing signs of ostentation and did not provide care. When he does, it is very common for him to drop his head, as he wanted to go unnoticed. If he is elusive, he was very protective with the children. In all the pictures that he posted on Instagram after the attack, taken at different times of the holidays, the kids appear on the back.

The desire for confidentiality and parental protection adds a old family trauma. In the nineties, the grandfather, Troels, denounced an attempt at extortion that lasted nearly three years. In addition, a foreigner stormed his property and was arrested by the police. The event was picked up in the national media. On another occasion, notably in 2003, a Danish citizen was abducted in India. He had been confused with Anders and, although he was released, Soren Jakobsen, author of a book on Danish industrial dynasties, explained that these events had caused Holch Povlsen's home "they protect themselves almost more than the royal family. "

The origin of his fortune is due to his parents, Troels and Merete, who, less than 100 kilometers from Aarhus, in the city of Brande, opened a clothing business. Anders' parents have another son, Niels, an expert on mergers.

Until the tragedy of Colombo, Povlsen's life had progressed steadily. A graduate in Business Administration, he studied at the British University of Anglia Ruskin and at the University of Berlin, Germany. In 23 years, she takes over Vila, one of the best brands of women's clothing. At 28, he inherited the entire chain, which he sells in 70 markets around the world.

He met his wife, Anne, when he was sales department executive. Despite the growth of their business, they managed to remain anonymous. He is the main shareholder of ASOS, the UK fashion platform, and holds 10% of the shares of Zalando, his German counterpart. The fortune he has enjoyed has allowed him to realize his great dream: to become an environmentally friendly landowner in Scotland, the place he fell in love with from his childhood.

In 2015, Anglia Ruskin University named him honorary doctor and, in his thank you speech, he encouraged the students to "be responsible because the effort is recognized", did he declares. It included advocacy on the protection of the environment, which already occupied a good deal of his time. In mourning and with Scotland as a handle, he remains as elusive for the press. Only these days has issued a brief statement to ask for confidentiality and allow them to "overcome the incomprehensible together". Losing an attack against three of their four children.