Selim Zilkha
Encyclopedia
Selim Zilkha is an entrepreneur
who founded Mothercare
, one of the United Kingdom's largest retail chains.
and brought up in Lebanon
, Egypt
and the United States, Selim Zilkha was educated at the Horace Mann School
in New York City and Williams College
in Williamstown, Massachusetts
. He served in the US Army during World War II. He then worked in finance in the family firm Zilkha & Sons from 1947 to 1960.
He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he bought the 50-store W.J. Harris nursery furniture chain, which he renamed Mothercare
, and expanded it until it had over 400 stores. He sold his interest in Mothercare in 1981 and moved back to the United States.
In 1982, he invested $28 million in Towner Petroleum and in 1998 sold his investment for $1 billion.
In 2002, he donated $20 million to complete a Neurogenetic Institute in Los Angeles.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
who founded Mothercare
Mothercare
Mothercare plc is a British retailer which specialises in products for expectant mothers and in general merchandise for children up to 8 years old. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
, one of the United Kingdom's largest retail chains.
Career
Born in BaghdadBaghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
and brought up in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and the United States, Selim Zilkha was educated at the Horace Mann School
Horace Mann School
Horace Mann School is an independent college preparatory school in New York City, New York, United States founded in 1887 known for its rigorous course of studies. Horace Mann is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League, educating students from all across the New York tri-state area from...
in New York City and Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census...
. He served in the US Army during World War II. He then worked in finance in the family firm Zilkha & Sons from 1947 to 1960.
He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he bought the 50-store W.J. Harris nursery furniture chain, which he renamed Mothercare
Mothercare
Mothercare plc is a British retailer which specialises in products for expectant mothers and in general merchandise for children up to 8 years old. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
, and expanded it until it had over 400 stores. He sold his interest in Mothercare in 1981 and moved back to the United States.
In 1982, he invested $28 million in Towner Petroleum and in 1998 sold his investment for $1 billion.
In 2002, he donated $20 million to complete a Neurogenetic Institute in Los Angeles.