Erivan Haub was a famous German-American businessman known for his leadership abilities and business strategies as the managing director of the “Tengelmann Group“. He took the company to new heights with his efficient management, but his mysterious disappearance and recent sensational revelations have brought him back into the limelight.
His story is not just that of a successful entrepreneur, but is full of mysteries and unsolved puzzles. There has been a lot of speculation about his life and death since he went missing in Switzerland during ski touring in 2018. He was officially declared dead in 2021, but based on some reports and testimonies, the question remained whether he was actually killed, or disappeared under some conspiracy.
The story of Erivan Haub is a unique blend of business success, personal struggles and deep mysteries, which has shocked people around the world. Let us understand this interesting journey of his life in detail.
Short Info
| Full Name: | Erivan Karl Matthias Haub |
| Profession: | German-American Bussinessman |
| Best Known for: | CEO of “Tengelmann Group” |
| Born: | September 29, 1932 Wiesbaden, Germany |
| Death: | March 6, 2018, Pinedale, Wyoming, United States |
| Age: | 85 Years |
| Height: | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Education: | University of Hamburg |
| Parents: | Erich Haub and Elisabeth Haub |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Helga Haub (m.1958-77) |
| Nationality: | American |
Early life and Education
Erivan Karl Mathias Haub was born on 29 September 1932 in Wiesbaden, Germany, into a prosperous business family. He was the only child of Erich Haub and Elisabeth Haub (née Schmitz-Scholl). His family had been running the Tengelmann grocery chain since the late 19th century. Although the Tengelmann Group was not a giant at the time, it was a reliable and stable business that provided bread, butter and other necessities for German families. This legacy came from his mother’s side, while his father, Erich Hub, played a key role in growing it even under difficult circumstances.
Erivan’s childhood was not entirely spent in luxury. The 1930s and 40s were extremely difficult for Germany—war, economic crisis and uncertainty gripped the country. In 1934, his parents bought a farm in a forested area near Idstein in the Taunus region. It was a quiet, rural area where Erivan spent most of his childhood. It was probably here that he developed a love for nature—a connection that lasted until the end of his life, in the fields of Wyoming.
Education and Entry into the Business World.
Erivan graduated from high school in 1952, when the United States was rapidly growing after World War II. He entered the retail industry, interning at Jewel Tea Company in Chicago and Alpha-Beta in La Habra, California. It was no simple desk job—he was deeply immersed in the American grocery business, immersing himself in every aspect from stocking shelves to supply chain management. In addition, he also worked with an import-export firm in Cuba, where he learned many valuable business lessons.
But his time in the United States was not just about business. He felt a deep connection to the country—his vast landscapes, limitless possibilities, and spirit of innovating attracted him. Working from big cities to small towns, he also felt a deep pull to the American West. That love stayed with him, but for now he had a bigger goal—to take what he learned back home.
After returning to Germany, he began studying economics at the University of Hamburg. This wasn’t just an attempt to earn a formal degree—he studied under renowned economist Karl Schiller, who would go on to become Germany’s finance minister. In 1959, he graduated from the University of Mainz. It was during this time that he met Helga Otto, whom he later married.
Stepping into the Family Business and Succeeding
By 1963, Tengelmann was a medium-sized company with around 400 stores and a chocolate factory. Its annual revenue at the time was 1.2 billion Deutsche Mark. In 1969, after the company’s managing director Karl Schmitz-Scholl died, Erivan Haub took over the leadership.
Displaying a swift approach, Erivan acquired its major competitor, Kaiser’s Kaffee Gesäfte AG, in 1971. It was a bold move that doubled Tengelmann’s business overnight. The following year, in 1972, he launched a discount grocery chain called Plus, aimed at the budget-conscious. This affordable chain quickly became popular, making it clear that Erivan was not content to simply inherit the legacy but also had the passion to innovate.
In 1979, they acquired more than 50% of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P), America’s oldest supermarket chain. However, the challenges of the US market were greater than expected, forcing Tengelmann to end its US presence by 2012.
In 1985, Erivan moved into non-food retail by acquiring Obi, a home improvement chain. This was followed by the addition of Media in 1990 and Kik in 1994, allowing Tengelmann to enter the clothing industry as well. They were not just limited to Western markets; in 1984 they also branched out into Eastern Europe by investing in Hungary’s Skala-Coop.
In 1993, when Tengelmann celebrated its 100th anniversary, the company’s annual revenue had crossed 50 billion Deutsche Mark. Under Erivan’s able leadership, Tengelmann became not just a family business but the internationally recognized “Tengelmann Group“, passing on its success story from generation to generation.
A Life Beyond the Boardroom
Erivan Haub inspired by his mother Elizabeth, played a key role in inculcating environmental awareness in Tengelmann at an early age. He funded the world’s first university chair on business and the environment at York University in Toronto in 1991. Together with his wife, Helga, he founded the Helga Otto Hub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming in 2004. Continuing his dedication to environmental protection even closer to home, he converted his family’s Weingut Abril vineyard in Germany to a CO₂-neutral operation in 2012. In appreciation of these efforts, the German government awarded him its highest civilian honor, the Federal Cross of Merit, in 2004.
Erivan Haub Personal Life
During his studies, Erivan Haub met Helga Otto, who later became his wife. Helga was not just a spectator in his life, she became his rock, his ally and, later, a name in his legacy. They had three sons – Karl-Erivan, Georg and Christian. All were born in Tacoma, Washington. All three of his sons grew up immersed in the business. Karl-Erivan, the eldest, took the reins as CEO in 2000, with Christian joining him as managing partner. Georg also remained involved. Erivan stepped back to the supervisory board, letting his sons lead while he himself took on the role of mentor. Karl-Erivan’s mysterious disappearance in 2018 shook the family but Erivan’s faith in them never wavered.
Disappearance Incident
On 7 April 2018, Erivan Haub went missing during ski mountaineering training near Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain. He was preparing for a ski race there. Following his disappearance, the governments of Switzerland and Germany launched an extensive search operation, with five helicopters searching for six days, but he was not found. The incident left his family, friends, and the business community in deep shock.
Declaration of Death
With no trace of Erivan Haub found despite a continuous search, a German court declared him legally dead in 2021. Following this decision, his younger son Christian Haub took over the leadership of the Tengelmann Group.
Reappearance in Russia
In 2024, an investigation shockingly revealed that Erivan was alive in Russia and living in Moscow with his Russian friend Veronika Ermilova. According to reports, Erivan had planned his own disappearance. He and Ermilova had a deep relationship, and he had called Ermilova 13 times on the day of his disappearance, making investigators suspicious of him. It also became known that Ermilova had ties to Russia’s security agency FSB, adding even more complexity to the case.
The Wyoming Chapter
As he aged, Erivan Haub spent more time in Wyoming, on a ranch near Pinedale where he raised American bison. It was his sanctuary – a piece of the West he had dreamed of since those early American days. He and Helga were there just after their 60th wedding anniversary in March 2018, when he passed away at the age of 85. It was peaceful, surrounded by family and the land he loved. His death closed a chapter, but his legacy? That is still unfolding.
Erivan Karl Haub’s Philanthropic Work
Erivan Haub was involved in various philanthropic activities during his lifetime. He supported various charitable causes focused on education, health and environmental protection through the Haub Family Foundation.
Haub contributed to scholarship programs and educational institutions aimed at improving access to quality education for the underprivileged. He supported initiatives aimed at combating climate change. In addition, Haub supported arts and cultural endeavours, including museums, galleries and cultural events, recognizing the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
Erivan Haub Net Worth
At the time of his death, Erivan Haub’s net worth was estimated to be around $6.4 billion. He was one of the sixth richest businessmen in the world at the time. He was a billionaire German businessman. He served as the CEO and owner of the “Tengelmann Group” for more than 20 years.
The Legacy of a Retail Giant
The story of Erivan Haub is nothing short of a mystery film. A successful businessman who suddenly went missing, was then declared dead, and now it is revealed that he is alive in Russia! This story can reveal secrets related to not only the business world but also politics and secret agencies. Haub’s life and his decisions are still a topic of discussion around the world.
