Michael Otto & family

Father Werner Otto, who turned 100 last August, started out making a 14-page shoe catalog in 1949; the $14 billion (sales) Otto Group now sells everything from toys to building supplies. Also hold a 96% stake in home furnishings retailer Crate & Barrel. Michael joined in 1971, expanded operations overseas and moved company into Internet sales; now world's second biggest internet retailer after Amazon. Retired in 2007 after 26 years as chief executive; still heads group's supervisory board. Brother Frank manages Otto family's shopping center outfit, ECE Group, which holds a stake in U.S. mall giant Developers Diversified Realty. Family owns 12 million sq. ft of prime real estate in the U.S. most in New York city. Their Paramount Group bought Deutsche Bank's Wall Street headquarters in 2007; reportedly paid a record price per square foot for lower Manhattan. Environmentalist supports foundation that funds preservation of Germany's Elbe river. Has been awarded the 2010 Theodor Heuss Prize for his contributions to society. Reportedly practices tai chi. Collects modern art.