“Alexandre Behring: A Life of Corporate Success”

Overview

Alexandre Behring is a Brazilian businessman and one of the most successful billionaires in the country. With a net worth of over $7 billion, Behring is the founder and chairman of 3G Capital, a global investment firm that originated in Rio de Janeiro but currently operates from New York City. Behring’s investment philosophy is focused on value creation through cost-cutting and efficient management, which has allowed him to acquire and take control of a number of highly recognized companies in multiple sectors including food, beverage, and retail.

Early Life and Education

Alexandre Behring was born in 1966 in Petrópolis, a city located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He grew up in a privileged family with a strong business background, as his grandfather founded a successful investment bank in Brazil. Behring studied Economics at the University of Rio de Janeiro before moving to the United States to pursue an MBA at the Harvard Business School.

Career and Achievements

Behring began his career in finance as an intern at Banco Garantia, a Brazilian investment bank that was acquired by Credit Suisse in 1998. He then went on to work for the private equity group GP Investimentos, where he met his future business partner, Jorge Paulo Lemann. In 2004, Behring and Lemann founded 3G Capital with the goal of acquiring and managing companies. One of their first major deals was the acquisition of AmBev, a Brazilian beer company, for $11.5 billion. Through efficient cost-cutting and strategic management, 3G Capital was able to increase AmBev’s market share and profitability.

In 2008, 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway acquired H.J. Heinz Co for $23 billion, marking one of the largest food industry deals in history. Behring became the chairman of the board of directors of Heinz, and again implemented cost-cutting strategies that led to increased profits for the company. In 2013, 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway acquired Kraft Foods Group for $40 billion, merging it with Heinz to create the Kraft Heinz Company. Behring served as the chairman of Kraft Heinz until 2019, and during his tenure, the company was able to reduce expenses by $1.7 billion.

Behring’s success in the investment world has made him well recognized in Brazil and beyond. In 2017, he was named one of the top 10 most influential people in Brazil by Forbes.

Personal Life

Alexandre Behring has kept his personal life fairly private, but it is known that he is married and has two children. He is a member of the board of trustees for the nonprofit organization Teach for All and is also involved in philanthropic initiatives through the Lemann Foundation, which he co-founded with Jorge Paulo Lemann.

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