Spain

"André gave the character a voice, made him practice every sport, every profession, every clownish act. He inflated or deflated at will, smoked cigars, danced the waltz, transformed into a puppet, spoke in front of a blackboard. He conducted an orchestra in London, entered the arena in Spain, or participated in a rodeo in America. Always good-natured, full of humor, in dazzling form—thanks to the Michelin Exerciser—and devilishly pedagogical."

"He opens his iPhone and checks the sales data in real-time in individual countries. He is worried about Spain, observes how sales are going in the flagship store in Madrid, monitors the performance of his Spanish representative's deliveries."

"In general, Amancio eats little but is a good host. "My favorite food—he has told me more than once—are fried eggs with French fries and sausage." This down-to-earth man, incapable of giving himself importance no matter how many times he appears cited in international economic magazines as one of the richest in Spain, and on the lists of the world's richest compiled by Forbes, in a more prominent position as the years go by, told me in great detail the starting point of his business story; a story so unusual and endearing, so deeply human, that it is key as a testimony of his life."

"It was never entirely good with my father, but we found a modus vivendi that was civilized. The incident and grandfather's words shattered the last shackle to parental authority and became the final step towards a life of my own in freedom, a memory my thoughts touch upon in contemplative moments. I can only marvel at grandfather's empathy in his son and grandson's relationship. That I would have been the stronger was unthinkable, but it naturally reveals a wisdom that comes to the old about how generations follow generations, take over, and succeed—not without sacrifice. I have often wondered how our relationship would have developed if my father had lived longer, had successes as an ambassador in Brazil, and ended his diplomatic career in Spain, as he dreamed of. Perhaps his negative outlook on life would have changed then, and he would have dared to show that he liked me."

"In his second homeland, Spain, Fredriksen saw opportunities in a crisis-stricken shipping industry. Through cheap acquisitions of a number of small shipping companies, Fredriksen became the largest private shipowner in Spain during a hectic period. Economically, it was no gold mine, and when the crew of the bulk carrier "Resmar Dos" went on a strike lasting several months during unloading at Hydro Aluminium in Karmøy, Fredriksen sued Haugesunds Avis for their portrayal of him."

"1992Media Capital SGPS in Lisbon, a corporate group of magazines and broadcasting stations, is sold to Nicolas Berggruen for 29 million dollars. Apparently, the first media company of Portugal, founded in 1988, ran into difficulties and needed a cash injection. As is often the case in practice, such capitalization leads to the loss of independence. The investor becomes the boss. In industry circles, there is speculation that the deal in Lisbon was initiated by the Domingos. Having already owned a media conglomerate in South America, which included among others the most listened-to radio stations in Colombia, they wanted to expand their empire to Europe. The entire Spanish-speaking world was to belong to the Domingo family. At that time, Nicolas Berggruen was still relatively unknown in the investment market; he could discreetly set in motion the Domingos' assault on the media landscape of Portugal and Spain."