Daniel K. Ludwig
| Daniel Keith Ludwig | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
June 24, 1897 South Haven, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 1992 (aged 95) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Residence | Park Cinq, Manhattan, New York |
| Occupation | Global business magnate |
| Known for | Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Jari project |
| Board member of | Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, National Bulk Carriers, American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, Princess International Hotels, Exportadora de Sal, SA, Citricos de Chiriqui, SA, United Pocahontas Coal Company, European-American Securities Inc., Southwest Savings and Loan Association, |
| Spouse(s) | 1) Gladys Madeline Jones (1928–1937, divorce) 2) Gertrude Virginia Higgins (1937–1992, his death) |
| Children | None |
| Parent(s) | Daniel F. Ludwig (1873–1960) & Flora Belle Ludwig (1875–1961) |
Daniel Keith Ludwig (June 24, 1897 – August 27, 1992) was a United States shipping magnate, businessman with numerous companies, and billionaire. He pioneered the construction of super tankers in Japan, founded Exportadora de Sal, SA in Mexico and developed it as the largest salt company in the world, built a model community in association with his huge Jari project on the Amazon River in Brazil to produce pulp paper, and had numerous hotels around the world.
Even though he was one of the wealthiest men of his day, with operations spanning 23 countries, his name was little known. Throughout his business life, he maintained a low profile; he stopped speaking to the press in the 1950s. Ludwig was #1 on the first Forbes 400 "Richest Americans" list, published in 1982.
Daniel Keith Ludwig was born in 1897 to Daniel F. Ludwig (1873–1960), a captain in the merchant marine who was nicknamed "Lud", and Flora Belle Ludwig (1875–1961) in South Haven, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan. His father was one of seven brothers in a family of 13, most of them born in Pennsylvania. They had moved to Michigan when he was young, and four brothers plus Daniel made their lives in Port Arthur as adults. Four of Daniel's uncles made their living as captains of Great Lakes vessels. His father's oldest brother, Lancaster Columbus Ludwig (1855-1954), served as a captain on a passage steamer from South Haven to Chicago for many decades.
The senior Daniel and his wife Flora separated when young Daniel was 15. Daniel Sr. took the youth to Port Arthur, Texas to live with his brother John Ludwig and his wife. Flora Ludwig was left alone in South Haven without any means of support, and her fate is unknown. Daniel Sr. moved to Chicago, where he continued to work in the merchant marine.
Ludwig's first venture into shipping was at the age of 9, when he salvaged a 26-foot (8 m) boat. He left school at the end of eighth grade to work in various shipping-related jobs on Lake Michigan and in Texas, directly learning such trades as machinist, marine engineer, and ship handler. In Port Arthur, he sold supplies to sailing ships and steamers. He returned to Michigan to take a job at a marine engine plant, which sent him to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
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