Sonnenberg is the former chairman and chief executive of Hunter Douglas, a manufacturer of window shutters and blinds in the Netherlands. The Rotterdam-based company has operations in about 100 countries and annual revenue of $3.5 billion. The sale of a 75% stake in Hunter Douglas to 3G Capital was completed in 2022.
The majority of Sonnenberg's fortune is derived from proceeds associated with the sale of a 75% stake of Hunter Douglas to 3G Capital, a New York-based investment company. Hunter Douglas was founded by Ralph's father Henry. Ralph's son David became chairman in 2022, prior to completion of 3G's acquisition. Hunter Douglas has operations in about 100 countries and annual revenue of $3.5 billion, according to its website.
Ralph Sonnenberg and his family own about 24% of the company based on their one-quarter stake in a joint venture with 3G Capital, according to the company's website. The company is valued based on its final share price on Oct. 31, 2022.
Cash holdings include proceeds from the 3G sale and are based on an analysis of insider transactions, market performance, dividends and taxes.
Sonnenberg confirmed his stake in the company prior to de-listing without commenting on the calculation.
Ralph Sonnenberg was born in 1934. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1956.
He was appointed president of Hunter Douglas in 1972 after taking over from his father, Henry Sonnenberg. Henry founded the company in Germany in 1919 before moving it to Rotterdam in 1933.
Ralph's sons David and Marko became co-presidents of the company in 2004.
Ralph Sonnenberg stepped-down in 2022 following the acquisition by 3G Capital. The sale was completed in February 2022 through a joint venture, Bergson Beheer, in which the Sonnenberg family took a one-quarter stake.