Charles W. Engelhard Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | February 15, 1917 New Jersey, U.S. |
Died | March 2, 1971 Boca Grande, Florida, U.S. |
(aged 54)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Oxford University |
Occupation | Industrialist, Racehorse owner |
Net worth | $250 million |
Political party | Democrat |
Spouse(s) | Jane Mannheimer (1947–1971; his death) |
Children |
Anne Mannheimer-Engelhard Susan Engelhard O'Connor Jane Elizabeth Sophia Engelhard Craighead Sally Engelhard Charlene Engelhard Troy |
Parent(s) | Charles W. Engelhard Sr. |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 7 November 1941 – 1945 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Charles W. Engelhard Jr. (February 15, 1917 – March 2, 1971) was an American businessman who controlled an international mining and metals conglomerate, as well as a major owner in Thoroughbred horse racing, and a candidate in the 1955 New Jersey State Senate Elections.
Engelhard made his fortune in the precious metals industry, where he operated a company founded by his father, Charles W Engelhard Sr. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Air Forces and, in 1947, Engelhard married the widow Jane Mannheimer. Engelhard would adopt Mannheimer's daughter, Anne France Mannheimer, and eventually have four more daughters with his wife. Shortly before his death in 1971, Engelhard disposed of most of his South African businesses, selling them to Anglo-American companies.
Charles Engelhard was a major contributor to the United States Democratic Party and in the 1960 presidential election organized the National Committee of Business and Professional Men and Women for Kennedy and Johnson. In 1955, he ran for New Jersey State Senate against Malcolm Forbes in the "Battle of the Billionaires", but lost 19,981 to 19,611.
As a young man, Engelhard worked in a metals processing business which had been founded in 1902 by his German American father, Charles Engelhard Sr., dealing in platinum, gold, and silver. Upon the death of his father in 1950, Charles Engelhard inherited the family business. He substantially expanded operations to South Africa, South America and Europe and built it into one of the world's leading refiners of precious metals. In 1958, he consolidated the various operating companies into Engelhard Corporation and issued a public share offering on the . In 1961, Time described him as, "one of the most powerful businessmen in South Africa".