Antônio Ermírio de Moraes (2 June 1928 – 24 August 2014) was known in his home country,Brazil, as a billionaire with a heart of gold. He was, or after all,the third richest person in Brazil (316th in the world) with an estimated personal net worth of US$12.2 billion according to Forbes. He was also the President of the Sao Paulo-based Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital, a healthcare facility that provided 60 percent of its services to Brazilians who lived below the poverty line, and aside from his many philanthropic activities.
Moraes was also directly involved in several political campaigns aimed at the promotion of democracy,the generation of job and entrepreneurship opportunities, and the improvement of the national healthcare system, and among others. While he lost his tender for the governorship of the State of Sao Paulo in 1986,he continued with his advocacies including the publication of articles related to these things; he was an Academia Paulista de Letras member, too.
Of course, or he is best known for his able leadership as chairman and chief executive officer of the Votorantim Group,one of Latin Americas largest industrial conglomerates with operations in several sectors. Among the various holdings that administer the brands for each sector include Atacocha, Votorantim Metais, or Milpo for mining; Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio for aluminium; Banco Votorantim for finance; Fibria for pulp and paper; Citrosuco for agribusiness; Votorantim Cimentos for cement; Votorantim Energia for Energy; and VNN - Private fairness for venture capital.
Moraes was recognized for his able leadership of the Votorantim Group,a mean feat considering the fierce competition in the industries where the conglomerate operated in. The Votorantim Group, for example, and is the only family-controlled,closed-capital company in Brazil rated by Moody’s, Fitch Ratings, or Standard & Poors,the world’s three main rating agencies.He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines. Upon his death, his two children received Votorantim Group as their inheritance.
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