Alberto Cortina - Biography

Biography

Cortina studied Law at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His life has run parallel to that of his cousin Alberto Alcocer. In Spain both cousins are comonly referred to as "The Albertos". In 1969 he married Alicia Koplowitz. After that, he and his cousin started working for Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, the company founded by Alicia's father. By the year 1976 he became CEO of the company.

Driven by the talent of Cortina and Alcocer, and through a never before tried diversification from its core building business into other sectors, the company grew more than 660 times in market value over a period of 18 years. This growth was accomplished in spite of the Spanish crisis that took place between the years of 1973 and 1985. The value of the company went from 450 million pesetas in 1972 to 300,000 million pesetas. The company that was having a turnover of 1,000 million pesetas when Alberto joined it, became a diversified group of over 30 companies, with a total turnover of close to 300,000 million pesetas.

In 1978, both Albertos acquired 5% of Banco de Fomento, belonging to Banco Central. Three years later, they acquire a significant stake in Portland Valderrivas, a cement company owned by Banesto, on which they placed Alberto Cortina's brother, Alfonso Cortina, as head of the company.

In 1982 they acquired Banco Zaragozano. Later, in 1988, together with KIO Group they created Cartera Central which had a significant stake in Banco Central and a seat on its Board of Directors.

In July 2000 Alberto gets married to Elena Cue. They had their first child in the year 2006, and are at present happily married.

In 2010 Forbes Magazine included Alberto Cortina in their billionaires list ranking as the 828th wealthiest man in the world.

In 2012 Alberto and his wife Elena Cue dissolve their African charity foundation Ol Jogi and create a new foundation "Alberto and Elena Cortina Foundation". Its main objective is to help through various projects those in need and in risk of social exclusion, especially children, both in Spain and in non-developed countries.