As of: March 30, 2024, 1:37 p.m
By: Natascha Berger
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After more than half a century at the helm of Trigema, Wolfgang Grupp gave up management. In a documentary he now provides deep insights into his private life - and shows himself emotional.
Burladingen - Wolfgang Grupp was the owner and managing director of the textile company Trigema for 54 years. The now 81-year-old man, who often made headlines with provocative statements, is one of the most famous merchants in Germany. A SWR camera team accompanied the former Trigema boss for a year and gained some personal insights into the entrepreneur's life.
The show “SWR Portrait” focuses on a wide variety of people from southwest Germany and their life stories. This was also the case with Wolfgang Grupp recently. In September 2023, the 81-year-old announced that the clothing company Trigema would be handed over to his children Wolfgang Jr. at the turn of the year. (33) and Bonita Grupp (35), as well as his wife Elisabeth. The SWR documentary accompanies the man, whose fortune is estimated at around 100 million euros, on a journey through his past and also provides insights into the future of the company.
Former Trigema boss Wolfgang Grupp close to tears in new documentary: “Will not forget the decades”
Right at the beginning of the documentary, the CDU regular voter makes it clear: “You have to know: I am an egoist.” What he reveals, he is not doing to do anything good for the station. He hopes that the insights into his private life will primarily benefit the company. How important his work at Trigema is to the father of two becomes clear over the course of the documentary. Right at the beginning, Wolfgang Grupp is shown giving one of his last speeches to his employees. “I was pleased that I was able to work with you so pleasantly for 54 years, in good times and in difficult times. “I won’t forget all these years, all these decades,” says the 81-year-old in tears before handing over the family business to his children and wife. Grupp recently caused a stir with a high bonus for its employees.
Unusually emotional: The Trigema boss struggles with tears during a final speech to his employees. © Screenshot/Youtube/Trigema
Private insights: Former Trigema owner Wolfgang Grupp talks about his women's stories
Wolfgang Grupp admits in the documentary: He doesn't write any emails and doesn't own a computer. All incoming emails are printed out for him, and he passes on his answers to those responsible via a dictation machine. He also doesn't like working from home. In addition to the insights into his former professional life, it is the private stories about the well-known entrepreneur that are covered in the SWR documentary. For example, a long-time friend of Wolfgang Grupp says that he was always admired by women. There were “always beautiful girls” at the 81-year-old’s parties. Wolfgang Grupp himself confirms this and says that he didn't commit to a woman for a long time and that he had female acquaintances in various German cities.
At the age of 46, the entrepreneur from Burladingen in the Allgäu was able to make a commitment. He married the Austrian Elisabeth Grupp, who was 22 years old on the wedding day. The big age difference suited the ex-Trigema boss, as he reveals in the documentary. “I always said: No matter how old I am, my wife has to be in her early 20s when I marry her.” When he and Elisabeth met, the then medical student was 19 years old.
Former Trigema boss Wolfgang Grupp and his wife Elisabeth Grupp. © IMAGO/Pervin Inan-Sertas
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Wolfgang Grupp's wife Elisabeth says: At Trigema, her husband was always her boss
Elisabeth Grupp, who remains a mainstay at Trigema even after handing it over to her children, quickly joined her husband's company. However, she never enjoyed any advantages as the boss's wife. In the work context, Wolfgang Grupp is primarily her boss. She had to perform the same as all the other 1,200 employees of the textile company. Although she gave up her medical studies, she lacked nothing in life. In addition to Elisabeth Grupp and the two new managing directors Bonita and Wolfgang Grupp Junior, other employees also have their say in the documentary. They express themselves positively about their employer. Even if Wolfgang Grupp knows: “They know that this will be made public. They don't say my sins so loudly." His influence on the employees was also particularly evident in 1987 - when he persuaded 120 employees to join the CDU.
In the SWR documentary, the entrepreneur is shown several times on short trips in his private jet. He never wears a seatbelt. Another thing he never does is get drunk. He has never been drunk in his life, not even as a student in Cologne. In addition to Trigema and his family, Wolfgang Grupp's great passion is hunting. After hectic business, he finds peace in nature.
Wolfgang Grupp next to his wife Elisabeth and their children, daughter Bonita and son Wolfgang Grupp Junior. © picture alliance / dpa | Felix Kastle
The entrepreneur can now pursue this hobby even more intensively in addition to other plans in retirement. Does he have any concerns about the new leadership at Trigema? Apparently not. He is “still there” if questions arise. He also appreciates his children for their sense of duty, their ambition and that he can rely on them.
(nbe)