Heinrich Villiger passed away

Born in 1930, Heinrich Villiger took over the reins of the company created by his grandfather in 1888, making it one of the major players in tobacco and handmade cigars in the world.

Heinrich Villiger, heir to one of the largest tobacco empires, died on July 25th at the age of 95, the group announced in a press release.

Heinrich Villiger stepped down from operational management in 2016 but remained Chairman of the Board of the group founded by his grandfather, Jean Villiger, in 1888. The Villiger Söhne AG group is also a shareholder in Fifth Avenue Trading, Habanos exclusive distributor in Germany, Poland, and Austria, as well as in Intertabak AG, Habanos distributor in Switzerland.

“It is with gratitude that we bid farewell to our father, Heinrich Villiger, who has led the Villiger family business strategically and operationally with great commitment for 75 years,” writes Corina Villiger, Heinrich Villiger’s eldest daughter and member of the group’s Board. “He loved cigars and cigarillos – and was a passionate entrepreneur and courageous visionary.”

Corina Villiger and Lucien Villiger, Heinrich Villiger’s grandson, have served on the Board for many years and will continue to represent the family on this committee, alongside Rolf Kaufmann, the press release states.

Jvo Grundler, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2020, will take over as Chairman effective immediately, the group further states. As part of the succession planning process, Heinrich Villiger had decided that the chairmanship would be assumed by Jvo Grundler, as an independent board member and trusted advisor, in order to balance the interests of the four descendants and their families. Jvo Grundler is a lawyer and a member of various boards of trustees and foundations.