Otto Beisheim is a German businessman and founder of Metro AG

Metro AG

Metro AG is a diversified retail and wholesale/cash and carry group based in Düsseldorf, Germany. It has the largest market share in its home market, and is one of the most globalised retail and wholesale corporations. It is the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues . In English...

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In 2010, his net worth was estimated at US$3.6 billion; he is #249 on the Forbes list of billionaires.

WWII

According to journalist Michael Radtke, during World War II he served in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

The Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler was Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard. Initially the size of a regiment, the LSSAH eventually grew into a divisional-sized unit...

. According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Otto Beisheim Sturmmann (equivalent to corporal) in the 1 SS Panzer Division was assigned to the Bavarian Ministry of Culture, according to the Ministry, he was probably not involved in atrocities. He has never publicly explained himself.

Business

The first Metro Market, opened in November 1963 in Essen-Altenessen.

On 10 January 2004, Beisheim Center was officially opened on the northwest side of Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz is an important public square and traffic intersection in the centre of Berlin, Germany, lying about one kilometre south of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag , and close to the southeast corner of the Tiergarten park...

in Berlin, built for 463 million euros, and including the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott chains.

In 2009, he sold sold 5.2% of the shares of Metro AG to various national and international investors; a further 3.1% could be sold.