Juan March
| Juan March | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Juan March Ordinas 4 October 1880 Santa Margalida, Spain |
| Died | 10 March 1962 (aged 81) Madrid, Spain |
| Other names | Joan March i Ordinas |
| Spouse(s) | Leonor Servera |
| Children | Juan, Bartolome |
Juan Alberto March Ordinas (4 October 1880 – 10 March 1962) was a Spanish businessman closely associated with the rebel side in the Spanish Civil War, and with the regime of Francisco Franco after the war. Juan March was the wealthiest man in Spain and the sixth richest man in the world. The March family are still among the richest in the world, reported to be worth over 15 billion USD.
He was born in Santa Margalida on the island of Majorca. As a young man, he smuggled tobacco from North Africa into Spain. During World War I, he supplied goods to both sides, evading the Allied blockade of the Central Powers, and the German U-boats.
His power and influence increased under different Spanish governments during the reign of King Alfonso XIII. In 1926 he created the Banca March in Majorca.
When the monarchy was replaced by the Second Spanish Republic in 1930, March lost his influence, and was convicted and imprisoned for his illegal dealings. He escaped from prison, and fled to Gibraltar where his influence with the British government protected him against extradition.
March was an important backer of the 1936 military rebellion against the Republic which led to the Civil War. He arranged Franco's flight from the Canary Islands to Spanish Morocco, brought the colonial troops there into the rebellion, and personally financed the Italian airlift of those troops to southern Spain.
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Wikipedia