The Wealthy Families Who Own Canada (Documentary)

..With TransCripts

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Jun 19, 2024

This full-length documentary dives in-depth into the wealthy families of Canada whose economic and cultural footprints have helped shape one of the world's most diverse and forward-thinking countries. ------------------------------------- The Dukes Who Own The United Kingdom (Documentary):    • The Dukes Who Own The United Kingdom ...   ------------------------------------- The “Old Money” Families Who Built New York (Documentary):    • The “Old Money” Families Who Built Ne...   ------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 1:02 The Thomsons: The Richest Family In Canada 22:41 The Bronfmans: The Secret Wealthy Family That Owns Canada 51:25 The Westons: The Canadian Family Who Bought Ireland ------------------------------------- This compelling documentary explores the immense influence of Canada's wealthiest families, whose economic and cultural impacts have significantly shaped one of the world's most diverse and progressive nations. First, we dive into the world of the Thomson family, renowned for their discretion and immense wealth, estimated at over $61 billion. As the owners of The Woodbridge Company, which controls the media giant Thomson Reuters among other significant interests, the Thomsons exemplify old-money discretion in a modern economic landscape. We explore how this family, starting from humble beginnings, ascended to the apex of Canadian wealth and how their philanthropic efforts and business ventures continue to influence Canadian society and beyond. Then, we uncover the secretive world of the Bronfman family, whose fortune was built on the Seagram Company, once the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. We delve into their legacy of philanthropy, political influence, and cultural patronage, which has left an indelible mark on Canada and the world. This segment examines the complex web of investments and initiatives led by the Bronfmans, from their pivotal role in the development of the Canadian Jewish community to their controversial business dealings. Then, we explore the expansive reach of the Weston family, whose patriarch, W. Galen Weston, transformed a family-owned bakery into an international food empire, including controlling stakes in Loblaw Companies Limited and Selfridges Group. The documentary looks at their significant impact on Canadian and global retail, as well as their cultural and economic ties to Ireland, where they own luxury goods stores and hold substantial real estate investments. Through interviews and exclusive insights, we discover how the Westons have woven their business acumen into the fabric of society in both Canada and Ireland. This documentary not only highlights the business achievements and challenges faced by these families but also delves into their personal lives, exploring the responsibilities and dilemmas of those born into immense wealth and the impact of their philanthropic visions on public and cultural life in Canada.
TRANSCRIPT

Canada a vast expanse of majestic Landscapes stretching from the rugged Atlantic Coast to the Serene Pacific

0:07

Shores and its dense forests crystalline lakes and towering mountains tell a

0:13

story of natural Grandeur while its bustling cities Echo with Tales of innovation and prosperity yet beneath

0:20

this veneer of natural beauty and modernity lies a hidden history one woven by a select few who have shaped

0:28

the nation's Destiny through paralleled wealth and influence throughout Canadian

0:33

history from the fur trade era to the Industrial Revolution and into the digital age certain families have not

0:40

only amassed fortunes they have steered the cultural and economic currents of the great North today we unveil this

0:47

intricate web of family connections power plays and Visionary Pursuits that Define these Titans of Canadian Society

0:55

revealing how a few key lineages wealth continues to sculpt the country's future

1:01

when you think of Canada you probably imagine overly nice conversations endless hockey rinks and Lush Landscapes

The Thomsons: The Richest Family In Canada

1:08

that take the breath away faster than a Canadian wind gust known for its snowy Winters awkward level politeness and

1:16

Majestic moose sightings Canada embodies a sense of rustic charm and Tranquility but what if we were to tell

1:23

you that alongside these Charming stereotypes there are some big Maple Leaf sized bucks being thrown around up

1:29

north indeed the Thompsons the richest family in Canada bar nun and one of the

1:35

wealthiest in the world have come a long way from their humble beginnings as poor Scottish Farmers more than just rich

1:42

people they've worked their way into the British aristocracy owning the media conglomerate Thompson Reuters and

1:49

wielding enormous influence over Canada's economic and cultural landscapes and yet despite their

1:55

staggering Fortune the Thompsons have mastered the art of staying out of the spotlight avoiding the typical trappings

2:02

of the wealthy Elite in today's episode of old money luxury we'll dive into their enigmatic World exploring the rags

2:10

to riches Saga of a family who continue to shape Canada's future from the shadows as we describe the Thompsons the

2:18

secretive family who controls Canada the Thompson family one of the

2:24

wealthiest families in the world and the absolute richest in Canada sit pretty a top of mountain of cash that's roughly

2:32

61.3 billion US high and as of January 2024 this dazzling figure lands them in

2:39

the 21st spot on Forbes realtime billionaires list a club where money talks and where the Thompsons have a lot

2:46

to say now their Cash Cow is the Woodbridge company the heavyweight

2:51

parent of media Colossus Thompson reitter and what began as Roy Thompson's quaint little radio station in 1930s

2:59

Ontario has morphed into a global Goliath in news information and tech

3:04

services but the Thompsons aren't ones to rest on their media Laurels and their

3:09

Investment Portfolio is a smoggers board of Ventures for example current family

3:15

patriarch David Thompson the third Baron Thompson of Fleet runs Morgan Bay

3:21

capital a hedge fund that makes the fam's money work as hard as they do but

3:26

their empire stretches even further into sports and entertainment via True North sports and entertainment proud owners of

3:33

the Winnipeg Jets and the Canada Life Center you see David took the Reigns

3:38

after his father Kenneth Thompson's death in 2006 and he steered the family's ship into ever expanding Waters

3:45

with a head mix of strategic genius and a love for flying under the radar osmington Incorporated David's real

3:53

estate baby is no slouch either the firm's commercial property Investments

3:58

have paid off handsomely including a $336 million stake sale in retail

4:04

properties to the Canada Pension Plan in 2010 but the Thompsons are more than

4:09

financial wizards they art connoisseurs par excellance and their collection is

4:15

the stuff of dreams with David amassing masterpieces by rembrand jmw Turner and

4:21

John Constable in fact his stash of constable works is reportedly the largest in the world but what is all

4:29

that canvas if you can't stash it up in a lavish estate and David's mammoth-sized Toronto pad in the Swanky

4:36

Rosedale neighborhood is old money Elegance at its finest this lavish

4:41

residence expanded to house his Priceless art collection even boasts an underground gallery and the property

4:48

valued at several million dollars is just one gem in their glittering private real estate portfolio scattered across

4:55

North America and Europe however despite their mountainous wealth the Thompson

5:00

family manages to keep a surprisingly low profile David in particular is an

5:05

elusive figure dodging the spotlight and keeping interviews at Bay this air of mystery only adds to the Allure of their

5:12

immense Fortune making their story a captivating Saga of success and secrecy

5:18

with that said join us as we play detective on this enigmatic old money Dynasty and see what we can find as to

5:26

their route to wealth in the next chapter [Music]

5:32

the ancestors of what would become Canada's richest family and British Aristocrats no less were believe it or

5:39

not small Scottish tenant Farmers toiling on the Estates of The Dukes of bucku at bonis in the Parish of

5:46

westerkerk dumire Scotland therefore before the Canadian riches made it rain

5:52

the Thompson family's lives were marked by The rhythms of the land the cycle of seasons and The Whispers of Highland

5:58

winds and then in 1773 archal Thompson driven by The Lure of New Opportunities

6:05

and the weight of economic hardship embarked on a bold Journey from westerkerk to Canada then British North

6:12

America this migration was part of a larger Exodus as many Scots sought

6:17

Refuge from the harsh agricultural reforms and economic pressures of the time hoping to find Prosperity across

6:23

the Atlantic Arch's Voyage led him to Quebec where he married Elizabeth McCay

6:28

and together they ventured further into the Wilds of Upper Canada yet their hearts remained tied to the rugged

6:34

Landscapes of their Homeland in fact Arch's Brother David Thompson etched his

6:40

name into history by becoming the very first European settler of scabra Ontario the significance of this

6:47

Milestone cannot be overstated as scabra is one of the most well-known areas in

6:52

the province and includes numerous landmarks including the Toronto Zoo Rouge Park and the scabra LS now the

7:01

first true family patriarch who helped guide the Thompson name to wealth was Roy Herbert Thompson born on the 5th of

7:07

June 1894 in Toronto Ontario and his father Herbert Thompson a telegraphist

7:14

turn Barber and his mother Alice mud of English descent nurtured their family in a humble abode at 32 Monte Street and

7:22

though Roy's Early Education was cut short when he left school at 14 his year at Mr Elliot's business college where he

7:28

studied book keeping ignited a spark for Commerce within him his first foray into

7:34

business came through assisting his affluent Aunt heop who dealt in second mortgages and as she was impressed by

7:40

his meticulous bookkeeping she entrusted him with greater responsibilities leading him to co-invest in mortgages by

7:47

the age of 15 thus beginning his lifelong obsession with wealth accumulation but the 1920s and 1930s

7:55

were a tumultuous period for Thompson at 24 he attemp Ed farming in Manitoba only

8:01

to lose most of his Capital undeterred he ventured into the autop parts business at 30 facing initial failure

8:08

due to liquidity issues soon his second attempt saw moderate success though it

8:14

didn't bring significant rewards these early failures however only fueled his

8:19

determination in the early 1930s Thompson's entrepreneurial Spirit found

8:25

fertile ground in the radio business selling radios in Northern Ontario he perceived a gap in the market his

8:32

customers needed more content in 1931 he established his own

8:37

radio station cfch in North Bay Ontario and this Venture turned out to be a

8:43

resounding success boosting His Radio sales and generating advertising Revenue

8:48

emboldened he expanded His Radio operations opening a second station in Timmons in

8:55

1933 Thompson's pivotal move into the newspaper industry came in 1934 when he

9:01

acquired the struggling Tim's Daily Press for a down payment of $200

9:06

transforming it from a weekly to a daily paper he began his expansion into media

9:11

over the next decade he acquired more radio stations and newspapers steadily building his media Empire and by the end

9:18

of the 1940s Thompson's Empire encompassed 19 newspapers and he held

9:24

the presidency of the Canadian Daily Newspaper Publishers Association and his strategy was both simple and effective

9:31

acquiring small town newspapers that enjoyed monopolistic positions in their local markets ensuring a steady stream

9:38

of advertising Revenue Thompson's Ambitions were not confined to Canada in

9:43

1952 he purchased the Scotsman a prestigious Edinburgh newspaper marking

9:48

his entry into the British media Market 5 years later he secured the commercial television franchise for Central

9:55

Scotland launching Scottish television which he famously described as a license to print money due to its profitability

10:03

by the late 1950s his media Holdings spanned Canada the United States and the

10:08

United Kingdom and despite his immense success Roy Thompson was known for his humility and unpretentious lifestyle he

10:16

shunned ostentatious displays of wealth often using public transportation and

10:22

focusing on the commercial aspects of his businesses with a meticulous eye in

10:27

1964 Roy Thompson 's contributions to the media industry were formerly recognized with the title of Baron

10:34

Thompson of Fleet cementing his status as a media magnate and fulfilling his long-held aspiration to join the ranks

10:41

of British peage little did he know however that his successes in business and social

10:47

status were just the beginning of a family Empire that would do more than just sell a few newspapers and receive a

10:53

fancy title Roy's son and Air apparent Kenneth

11:00

Roy Thompson entered the world on the 1st of September 1923 in Toronto

11:05

although Kenneth's formative years unfolded across Toronto Ottawa and North Bay mirroring the EB and flow of his

11:12

father's expanding business ventures by 1937 the family had returned to Toronto

11:18

and young Kenneth found himself enrolled at the esteemed Upper Canada College where he would receive an education that

11:24

would serve as a springboard into his future endeavors however the out break of World War II interrupted Kenneth's

11:31

academic Pursuits and at the tender age of 19 he joined the Royal Canadian

11:37

Airforce in December 1942 his role as an instrument mechanic

11:42

and later as an editor for the rcaf magazine Wings Abroad stationed in England hinted at a future intertwined

11:49

with journalism and media after the war Kenneth pursued higher education with

11:54

Vigor earning a master's degree in law from St John's College University of K Cambridge and with his studies completed

12:01

he returned to Canada in 1947 eager to dive into his father's burgeoning

12:07

business starting humbly as a reporter for the family's Tim's Daily Press Kenneth's Journey Through the ranks was

12:14

one of Hands-On learning and Relentless determination after that for 5 years

12:20

Kenneth honed his skills at the G reporter taking on roles from advertising salesman to General Manager

12:27

these years provided a comprehensive understanding of the newspaper industry knowledge that would later prove

12:34

indispensable and then in 1953 Kenneth took the Helm of Thompson newspapers

12:39

overseeing Canadian and American operations from Toronto his personal life also blossomed during this period

12:46

he married model Nora Marilyn lavis in 1956 and the couple welcomed three children David Peter and Leslie later

12:55

known as Taylor and the Thompson Empire's Global reach expanded under Kenneth's stewardship in 1966 following

13:03

his father's acquisition of the Times newspaper in London Kenneth relocated to England by 1968 he was chairman of times

13:11

newspapers limited immersing himself in the complexities of international media

13:16

management Kenneth returned to Toronto in 1970 and became joint chairman of the

13:21

Thompson organization with his father in 1971 this transition of power was a

13:27

Prelude to his full control of the family business upon Roy Thompson's death in

13:32

1976 and as the second Baron Thompson of Fleet Kenneth inherited a media

13:38

conglomerate valued at approximately $500 million with diverse interests

13:43

spanning newspapers television travel and oil and Kenneth's leadership marked

13:48

a strategic pivot for the Thompson Corporation he refocused the company's efforts on North America selling the

13:55

British newspaper assets including the times and the Sunday time to Rupert Murdoch in 1981 amidst a

14:02

turbulent labor dispute this divestment signaled a shift towards specialized Information Services and electronic

14:09

publishing major Acquisitions such as wodsworth textbook publishing in 1978

14:15

and legal publisher West publishing in 1996 exemplified this new Direction by

14:22

the dawn of the 2st century the Thompson Corporation had evolved into a digital media and information Powerhouse

14:29

leaving its traditional newspaper Roots behind under Kenneth's astute Guidance the company's value soared from 500

14:36

million in 1976 to a staggering $ 29.3 billion by

14:43

2006 and the Thompson fam's wealth grew in tandem with their stake valued at

14:48

over $19 billion positioning Kenneth among the world's wealthiest individuals

14:54

and yet despite his Monumental success Kenneth maintained an unassuming lifestyle just like his father known for

15:02

his frugality he often shunned luxuries preferring to shop for his groceries

15:07

Drive himself and could even be seen riding the London Underground the public Subway like any other person and

15:14

Kenneth's family life was a blend of affluence and caution as well he and Nora Marilyn lavis raised their children

15:21

in an environment steeped in privacy and discretion with Kenneth keenly aware of the potential pitfalls of inherited

15:28

wealth and instilled a sense of responsibility and Prudence in his offspring now Kenneth's later years were

15:34

marked by significant philanthropy his most notable contribution was a $370

15:39

million donation of his art collection and funds to the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2002 facilitating a major renovation

15:48

by architect Frank gar and even in his final years Kenneth remained actively

15:54

involved in the family's business through the private holding company Woodbridge

15:59

his sudden death in 2006 at the age of 82 brought an end to an Era for the Thompson Dynasty leaving a legacy of

16:07

profound influence and transformation in the global media landscape but Kenneth

16:12

had shared a close bond with his eldest son David whom he began grooming from a young age to eventually take over the

16:18

family business this plan was part of a vision laid out decades earlier by first family patriarch the aforementioned Roy

16:25

Thompson thus when Kenneth Thompson passed away way in June 2006 control of

16:31

the family fortune seamlessly transitioned to David Roy Thompson had

16:36

written in his 1975 autobiography David my grandson will have to take his part

16:42

in the running of the organization and David's son too he further emphasized

16:47

with the fortune that we will leave to them go also responsibilities these Thompson boys

16:53

that come after Ken are not going to be able even if they want to to shrug off these

17:03

responsibilities the third generation patriarch David Kenneth Roy Thompson was

17:08

born on the 12th of June 1957 in Toronto by then quite naturally his family was

17:14

one of immense Prestige and influence with his brother Peter Thompson pursuing a path of speed and adrenaline as a race

17:21

car driver and his sister Taylor Thompson carving her own distinct path

17:26

David's early years were marked by an educ ation that set the foundation for his future endeavors and he attended

17:33

Upper Canada college and the hall School institutions known for their rigorous academic standards in 1978 he completed

17:42

his studies at selwin College Cambridge earning a Bachelor of Arts in history

17:47

meanwhile Peter Thompson's Journey took a different route no pun intended and

17:52

Peter's passion for auto racing was evident from a young age after completing his education at Royal St

17:58

georg's College he dabbled in photography through unpaid internships at local newspapers opportunities

18:05

facilitated by his father Ken Thompson yet the call of the racetrack was too

18:10

strong to ignore in 1986 Peter began his rally racing career swiftly making a

18:16

name for himself in the sport including several National Championship wins now

18:22

David's foray into the family business began in the 1990s with him starting as a junior associate at McLoud young Weir

18:29

in Toronto a move that proved to be a stepping stone that led to various roles within the Thompson family's extensive

18:36

Enterprises managing the bay store at Cloverdale Mall in at toico and later serving as president of zeelas were

18:43

pivotal roles that honed his business Acumen however David sought to carve his

18:48

own path and founded osmington Incorporated a real estate firm that operated independently of the Thompson

18:55

Empire osmington focused on acquiring and managing commercial real estate assets for institutional shareholders

19:02

including the Thompson family osmington portfolio also boasted a partnership in True North sports and entertainment

19:09

owning the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg Manitoba

19:15

additionally osmington took on the ambitious project of redeveloping the retail space of Toronto's Union Station

19:22

and planned to introduce the Shake Shack fast food chain to Canada with 35 Outlets inher in the title of third

19:29

Baron Thompson of Fleet David assumed the mantle of family patriarch following his father's passing in

19:36

2006 as chairman of Thompson Corporation he led the company through a significant merger with Reuters in 2008 forming

19:44

Thompson Reuters a Global Information Services Powerhouse despite his prominent role

19:51

David's relationship with the family business was fraught with frustration he often expressed a desire

19:57

to shift Focus to re Ward his passions in art and real estate a sentiment that was perhaps intensified by the intense

20:04

media scrutiny surrounding his personal life one such controversy erupted in

20:09

2006 during his divorce from lri Ludwick their tumultuous relationship and

20:15

subsequent legal battle captivated the public revealing allegations of harassment and intimidation and Ludwick

20:22

claimed that David and his agents had engaged in intrusive Behavior including unauthorized entry into their home and

20:29

removal of personal items the case was set to establish new precedents for Extraordinary child care expenses in

20:36

Canada given its high-profile nature and substantial financial implications David's Financial

20:42

disclosures during the divorce also painted a picture of a complex and intricate corporate structure designed

20:49

to manage the family's vast wealth despite his substantial income which included a monthly salary exceeding

20:56

$100,000 and significant trust income David reported a monthly budget deficit

21:02

ludwick's lawyer criticized the lack of transparency in David's Financial disclosures suggesting that the true

21:08

extent of his wealth was being concealed this opacity and the elaborate Financial

21:13

Arrangements often became focal points of contention in legal disputes involving the Thompson family another

21:20

significant legal entanglement in snared Taylor Thompson David's sister in a

21:25

high-profile Espionage Saga in 20 2002 Taylor was implicated in a notorious

21:31

case involving Anthony pelicano a disreputable Los Angeles private investigator amidst her custody battle

21:38

with Michael kesa the father of her child though she denied these allegations the case cast a shadow over

21:45

the family revealing the Extreme Measures they would undertake to safeguard their privacy and interests

21:51

throughout these controversies the Thompson family tried to uphold a stringent code of privacy employing

21:57

Extraordinary Measures to Shield their personal lives from the public gaze court documents were sealed and

22:03

employees were Bound by confidentiality agreements yet despite these efforts their legal and financial turmoils

22:10

occasionally seeped into the public sphere offering a rare glimpse into the lives of one of Canada's most enigmatic

22:16

and influential families these controversies highlighted the delicate Balancing Act the Thompsons faced

22:22

juggling their vast wealth and power with an unrelenting desire for privacy and control over their Public Image

22:30

therefore the Thompson family a towering presence in Canada's social and economic landscape has long been a magnet for

22:37

both Fascination and scrutiny on a crisp autumn day in 1958

The Bronfmans: The Secret Wealthy Family That Owns Canada

22:43

the Seagram building opens its doors instantly captivating Park Avenue this modernist Masterpiece designed by me

22:50

vanera and Philip Johnson stands as a Marvel with its Sleek lines and bronze tinted facade crowds gather their eyes

22:58

is wide with awe as sunlight reflects off the Towering structure giving it an almost ethereal glow its innovative

23:05

recessed placement set back from the street creates a striking Plaza that enhances its Grandeur this thoughtful

23:13

design not only sets a new architectural precedent but also influences the future

23:19

of skyscraper construction around the world emphasizing open space and urban

23:24

integration and yet as people walk by admiring the building Grandeur few

23:29

realize the story behind its creation the Seagram building is the brainchild of the bronfman family the multi-billion

23:37

dollar old money Canadian Dynasty that started as poor farmers and within just a few short Generations became one of

23:44

North America's wealthiest and most powerful lineages in today's episode of old money luxury we'll tell their insane

23:51

Rags to Riches Saga as they first take over the North America alcohol industry with unmatched finesse before for

23:58

expanding their empire to entertainment grabbing the Reigns of power in the music industry all the way to their

24:04

controversial connections to Cults Jeffrey Epstein and International Spy organizations as we describe the Bromans

24:12

the secret wealthy family that owns Canada as of 2024 the bronfman family of

24:21

Canada continues to sit pretty at top a mountain of cash much like their own version of the Canadian Rockies and

24:27

their vast wealth originates from the Seagram company an alcohol Distillery and household name of drinking that

24:33

you're probably already aware of that found its footing during America's dry spell prohibition indeed this company

24:41

didn't just survive it thrived turning into a global Spirits Empire that significantly fattened the family's

24:47

wallet now when the brummans waved goodbye to Seagram selling it to vendi

24:52

in 2000 for a staggering $34 billion US they didn't just boost their bank

24:57

accounts they rocketed into the financial Stratosphere not content to rest on their Laurels the family

25:04

Diversified faster than a billionaire at a tax advice seminar branching into real estate the music industry and Tech among

25:12

other Industries and at the helm of this Filthy Rich Empire is Charles bronfman

25:18

the patriarch with a net worth of $2.5 billion us as of 2023 but Charles didn't just ride the

25:25

Seagram wave until its sail he also dipped his toes into philanthropic Waters co-founding taglet Birthright

25:32

Israel you know the program that encourages and even pays Jews from across the diaspora to visit to Israel

25:40

and splashing cash on cultural and educational causes across Canada the US

25:46

and Israel truly Charles is the philanthropic face that launched a thousand tax deductions then there's

25:53

Edgar bronfman Jr the prodigal son who spun his part of the family fortune into

25:58

a media and entertainment career as the former CEO of Warner music group from

26:04

2004 to 2011 Edgar redefined the music industry as he helped guide music into

26:09

the streaming era under his watch WG embraced digital platforms and tweaked

26:15

its artist relationships For Better or Worse ensuring the music didn't stop when the market shifted he then

26:22

orchestrated a graceful exit selling wmg to access Industries for a cool $3.3

26:29

billion in 2011 not to be outdone by his Elders Benjamin bronfman Edgar Junior's

26:35

son tuned into his own entrepreneurial and musical gifts with a net worth of

26:41

$100 million Benjamin isn't just sitting on his surname he's producing hits his

26:47

notable creds include co-producing Kanye West's monster and contributing to the controversial song New Slaves snagging

26:54

him a Grammy nod but the bronfman also know a thing or two about about luxury and in 2008 thieves tested this

27:02

knowledge by targeting the 22,000 ft Mansion of one Paul and Judy brontman

27:08

the robbers made off with Stanley Cup Rings and a cash of diamonds and gold just the tip of the iceberg when it

27:14

comes to the hidden wealth of the family Legacy not every bronfman however has faced such Misfortune and Jeremy

27:20

bronfman Edgar senior's grandson splurged on a $29 million Santa Monica

27:25

estate in 2021 but this isn't just any pad it's a 1920s Spanish colonial style Mansion

27:33

featuring everything from a botchy Court to a secret Spa hidden from prying eyes

27:38

this estate offers privacy luxury and a few fountains for good measure because when you're a bronfman why not yet if we

27:46

turn back the clock a little more than a century we would see the bronfman family little more than struggling Farmers as

27:53

they tried to build a life in the new world let's head over to the next chapter to find out how this Canadian

27:58

rags to Rich's tale began the first family patriarch and the

28:06

one who would set the foundations for the bronfman Dynasty's unfathomable wealth was one Samuel bronfman born in

28:13

1889 aboard a ship on route to Canada emerging from the depths of the then Russian Empire you see Samuel and his

28:21

parents were Jewish refugees escaping the brutal pams of zaris Russia these

28:27

pgrs were violent riots aimed at persecuting Jews often with the support or indifference of local authorities and

28:34

consequently fleeing this malevolent oppression the Brans immigrated to wapella in Saskatchewan's District of

28:41

ainoya before moving to Brandon Manitoba now the name bronfman itself is closely

28:46

associated with Jewish families particularly of Russian Jewish and Romanian Jewish ancestry and its actual

28:53

meaning adds a shot of irony to the entire family history it derives from the Yiddish word bronen meaning liquor

29:01

vodka or spirits and is related to the German word brandwine which refers to

29:07

again ironically distilled spirits and the name originally meant the man who

29:12

made or sold whiskey now Samuel's parents once prosperous in zaris Russia

29:18

arrived in Canada with their Rabbi and two servants and yiel brontman Samuel's

29:24

father attempted to recreate his past success but found tobacco farming incompatible with the harsh Canadian

29:31

climate to survive yield took on work as a laborer for the Canadian Northern Railway before securing a better job in

29:37

a sawmill then yiel and his sons turned to selling firewood and trading Frozen

29:43

white fish to sustain themselves through the winters eventually they moved into trading horses which led them into the

29:50

hotel and bar business and in 1903 the family purchased a hotel with this young

29:56

Samuel recognized izing that alcohol sales were highly profitable established himself as a liquor distributor thus in

30:05

1924 Samuel founded the distillers Corporation in Montreal specializing in

30:10

affordable whiskey and during prohibition in Canada Samuel and his brothers sold male order liquor

30:17

furthermore during this public Banning of alcohol use Samuel cleverly navigated the era's stringent regulations by

30:24

disguising alcohol sales under medicinal labels his strategic foresight to stockpile

30:30

whiskey prior to the repeal of Prohibition in the United States positioned Seagram to swiftly capture

30:36

the pent up demand for Quality Spirits drastically altering the landscape of the liquor industry however it was in

30:43

1928 that Samuel's Vision led to the acquisition of Joseph E sigman's Sons a

30:49

move that fortified his company's market position this acquisition was a Prelude

30:55

to broader expansion which saw Seagram extend its reach into wines rums and

31:00

whiskies establishing a formidable Global footprint and parallel to Samuel's business exploits his wife cidi

31:08

Rosner bronfman championed philanthropic causes she played a pivotal role in the

31:13

young women's Hebrew Association in Montreal enhancing its programs and supporting Jewish women's empowerment

31:20

sad efforts extended to founding the Canadian youth Alia and supporting the Arts notably through what became known

31:28

as The Seagull Center as time went on in the 1930s Samuel's ability to stockpile

31:34

resources and redefine whiskey from a bootlegged good to a premium product marked a significant evolution in the

31:41

industry he introduced rigorous standards for bottling and quality control fostering a new level of

31:47

consumer trust and brand loyalty then the era following World War II was

31:52

marked by strategic growth through Acquisitions and diversification see

31:58

expanded its portfolio engaging in collaborations with European liquor Brands and entering new markets like rum

32:05

this period therefore solidified Seagram's status as a Powerhouse in the global beverage industry then a defining

32:13

moment in Seagram's history and indeed in modern architecture was the construction of the Seagram building in

32:19

New York City in 1958 at a construction cost of $41 million us it was the world's most

32:26

expensive skysc at the time setting a benchmark for office Towers worldwide

32:31

and leaving an enduring Legacy in architecture and urban planning however

32:37

the life of family patriarch and the living embodiment of their success exemplified in the Seagrams building was

32:44

only just the beginning of this old money Dynasty's expansion into massive

32:52

wealth Edgar miles brontman senior was born on the 20th of June 1929 9 in

32:58

Montreal Quebec and entered the world as a Scion of the by then very prominent

33:03

Jewish Canadian brontman family under the roof of Samuel bronfman and cidi Rosner brontman the household vibrated

33:11

with the rhythms of Jewish tradition kosher meals were not merely eaten they were ceremonies of faith and weekends

33:18

echoed with the teachings of their Heritage yet Edgar and his younger brother Charles were pupils of Two

33:25

Worlds their weekday spent in private Ang phone schools absorbing lessons in

33:30

chapels and navigating diets alien to their upbringing his academic Pursuits

33:35

in Canada were rigorous and continued at Williams college in the United States but the call of Home brought him back to

33:41

Montreal where he completed a bachelor's degree in Commerce at McGill University in 1951 and the bromfman estate in

33:48

Westmount where Edgar grew up was a fortress of luxury staffed with a butler a cook three Maids a laundress a

33:56

gardener a chauffeur and two nannies despite this opulence Edgar recalled a

34:02

home life marked by a palpable emotional void a glaring contrast to the material

34:07

abundance that surrounded him this juer position of emotional scarcity against the backdrop of financial wealth

34:14

profoundly shaped his adult life culminating in a poignant return to his roots and emergence as a pivotal figure

34:20

in Jewish philanthropy and Charles Rosner bronfman Edgar's younger brother

34:26

shared a similar upbringing born in June 1931 also in Montreal his formative

34:31

years echoed Edgars rich in privilege and expectation Charles's educational

34:37

path mirrored Edgars culminating in a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science from McGill University

34:44

soon Edgar assumed his destined role in Seagram the family's distilled beverage Empire becoming its transformative

34:51

leader president Treasurer and CEO from the 1950s through the 1990s joining the

34:58

company in 1951 and quickly taking charge of its us operations in 1953 he

35:04

initiated a period of aggressive expansion and diversification under his stewardship

35:09

Seagram not only broadened its product range but also ventured into wines Champagnes and cognac significantly

35:16

diluting its dependency on Whiskey this strategic diversification was highlighted by the acquisition of

35:22

Tropicana products in 1988 propelling Seagram into the non-alcohol beverage

35:28

Market moreover Edgar's Vision led to lucrative investments in non-traditional sectors such as a significant stake in

35:35

the chemical Behemoth Dupont this Venture not only Diversified Seagram's portfolio but also underlined Edgar's

35:42

capacity to identify and capitalize on opportunities outside the traditional liquor market during his tenure

35:50

Seagram's influence was unmatched in the distilled Spirits Market in the United States with one in three alcoholic

35:57

beverages consumed in the 1950s being produced by Seagram Charles not to be

36:02

overshadowed also made substantial contributions to Seagram joining the company in 1951 and ascending to roles

36:09

of increasing responsibility in addition to his corporate achievements Charles's tenure

36:15

as chairman of the Montreal expose brought Major League Baseball to Canadian soil marking another notable

36:21

chapter in his diverse career his business Endeavors in Israel like the expansion of the Super Soul grocery

36:27

chain and the acquisition of core Industries limited further showcased his business prowess and dedication to

36:34

growth and Innovation however with great power comes not only great responsibility but also great scrutiny

36:41

and the bronfman Legacy has had much of it over the

36:48

decades despite their Monumental philanthropic efforts and prodigious business Acumen the brontman family's

36:54

association with the mega group adds another layer to their story founded in 1991 by Charles bronfman and the

37:01

recently controversial Tycoon Les Wexner this informal assembly of influential

37:07

Jewish entrepreneurs included Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and Seagram chairman Edgar brontman senior meeting

37:15

by anually they discussed philanthropy and Jewish Affairs significantly impacting initiatives like Birthright

37:21

Israel and the partnership for excellence in Jewish Education but speculation and controversy have always

37:27

always trailed the mega group particularly due to its alleged ties to intelligence operations reports suggest

37:34

the group maintained contacts with mad potentially influencing US foreign policy in the Middle East these

37:41

allegations imply that the mega group might have served as a covert base for intelligence activities within the

37:48

United States though solid evidence remains illusive and the involvement of

37:53

Jeffrey Epstein a financier notorious for his criminal activity related to sex trafficking further complicates the

38:00

brontman history Epstein's close association with les Wexner a mega group

38:05

founder is particularly troubling Wexner hired Epstein as his Financial Manager

38:11

granting him significant control over his financial affairs including essentially gifting Epstein his

38:18

notorious New York townhouse mansion and giving power of attorney and a board

38:23

position at the Wexner Foundation to Epstein furthermore Epstein reportedly

38:28

used his connections within the mega group to create a network of high ranking contacts in business media and

38:35

politics Epstein's ties to the mega group have fueled suspicions about his potential involvement in intelligence

38:42

operations yet the brontman legacy is not solely defined by controversy

38:48

Charles bronfman Samuel's progeny furthered this benevolent Heritage by

38:53

co-founding Birthright Israel in 1999 along side Michael steinhardt this

38:59

initiative aimed at fortifying Jewish identity and continuity offers young Jewish adults from around the globe a

39:06

complimentary 10-day sojourn to Israel strengthening their bonds with their Heritage and the Jewish State since its

39:14

Inception Birthright Israel has welcomed over 850,000 participants from 68

39:20

countries fundamentally altering their connection to Jewish culture and Israel

39:25

Research indicates that Birthright Israel significantly boosts Jewish identification among youths cementing

39:32

its reputation as a pivotal Jewish cultural experience and Adam bronfman standing on

39:38

the shoulders of his forebears continues to weave this familial Narrative of philanthropy with a focus on Jewish

39:45

learning and Community Building as president of the Samuel bronfman Foundation named for his grandfather

39:52

Adam Champion's religious pluralism and Jewish Education his tenure has en

39:57

significant expansions in Jewish learning and community outreach programs particularly through his involvement

40:03

with Hillel International and the creation of Hillel chapters in places like Santa Barbara and Utah further Adam

40:11

has actively engaged in the growth of Temple har shalom in Park City Utah

40:16

funding its construction and endowing a rabinal chair in honor of his grandmother cidi Rosner bronfman his

40:24

dedication also manifests in his critique of divis Ive religious policies in Israel advocating for a more

40:30

inclusive Jewish practice across various denominations and yet the pendulum swing

40:36

of shadowy connections and public facing philanthropy in the bronfman family doesn't stop simply with mega group or

40:43

their work with Israel as we'll see in the next chapter family members have also been both the victims and the

40:49

perpetuators of some of the most salacious crimes in the summer of 1975

40:57

a Sinister plot enveloped the young heir of the brontman Legacy Samuel bronfman

41:02

II just 21 and an heir to the brontman fortune vanished in a dramatic incident

41:08

that captivated the nation on August 8th after a seemingly ordinary dinner at his father's residence in Yorktown Heights

41:15

New York Samuel departed alone in his vehicle as Dawn broke the brontman

41:21

household was shaken by a chilling phone call Samuel with a Tremor in his voice

41:26

announced his abduction the perpetrators Mel Patrick Lynch and Dominic burn were merciless and they

41:32

demanded an unprecedented Ransom of $4.6 million threatening to kill Edgar

41:38

brontman senior with cyanide laced bullets if their demands were unmet

41:43

Samuel they claimed lay buried with a limited air supply a maab countdown ticking away the media seized upon the

41:51

story transforming it into a spectacle that Drew throngs of reporters and the morbidly curious to the bromfman estate

41:58

despite the kidnappers desperate pleas for silence the public thirst for details only intensified for days Edgar

42:06

bronfman senior dutifully followed their cryptic instructions navigating from one

42:11

pay phone to another in the vicinity of John F Kennedy Airport on August 16th

42:17

The crucial exchange occurred Edgar met one of the criminals in Woodside Queens handing over half of the ransom $2.9

42:24

million while the FBI watched from the Shadows they traced the getaway car to

42:30

Lynch's apartment in Brooklyn but chose patience over immediate action the next

42:35

day law enforcement struck they stormed Lynch's apartment and found Samuel bronfman a sight to freeze the blood

42:42

bound gagged and blindfolded Lynch and barn were promptly arrested but the

42:47

trial that followed was a bitter pill the defense painted Samuel as a willing participant in his own kidnapping this

42:54

twist seeding doubt led to their acquittal on kidnapping charges though they were convicted of extortion the

43:01

verdict left the bronfman family feeling abandoned by Justice the accusations against Samuel leaving scars that would

43:08

never heal years passed and the bronfman Legacy grew even more Tangled Sara and

43:14

Clare brontman ayses to the Seagrams liquor Empire became entangled with alleged cult nexum in the early 2000s

43:22

Sara's introduction to nexum came via a family friend in 2002 during a period of

43:28

existential searching she swiftly became enamored with Keith Ran's so-called self-help group plunging deep into its

43:35

folds and persuading her sister Clare to join her their father initially intrigued grew wary upon discovering

43:42

cla's massive loans to Ranier eventually branding nexum as a cult Sara's role

43:47

while significant was largely behind the scenes providing financial support and participating in nexum Inner Circle her

43:55

dedication persisted even as allegations of abuse emerged in 2019 she severed her

44:02

ties relinquishing her stakes in nexum properties in a complex Financial Arrangement but her involvement left a

44:08

lasting impression cla's involvement however ran deeper and darker she sought

44:14

personal Redemption within nexum becoming one of its most fervent supporters and financiers her

44:20

contributions estimated at $150 million funded legal battles against nexum

44:26

detractors and even rania's private jet expenses and this devotion led to her

44:32

downfall in 2019 CLA pled guilty to charges related to harboring illegal

44:37

aliens for financial gain and fraudulent identification use despite her plea

44:43

cla's loyalty to Ranier and nexum remained unshaken the court however saw

44:49

through her facade in September 2020 CLA was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months in

44:55

prison exceeding Pro Prosecutor's recommendations and the judge condemned her use of wealth and status to

45:03

intimidate and retaliate against nex's opponents yet even Behind Bars her

45:09

steadfast support for Ranier continued to provoke controversy and Fascination

45:14

the bronfman name once synonymous with opulence and philanthropy now bore the stigma of Scandal and crime a stark

45:22

transformation under the Relentless scrutiny of public and media alike and yet even with all of the controversy

45:29

their next Generations have continued on From Success to success we'll see in the next

45:36

chapter Steven bronfman a luminary of Canadian Commerce and heir to the storied Seagram Empire has become a

45:44

central figure in the political landscape of Canada particularly with the liberal party and his influence was

45:50

especially prominent from the early 2000s to the 2010s A Time marked by his

45:56

deep political engagement the pivotal moment in bronfman's political story occurred in 2013 when Justin Trudeau

46:03

then a hopeful for the leadership of the Liberal Party enlisted bronfman's support bronfman utilized his expansive

46:10

Network and financial Acumen to secure crucial funds for Trudeau's campaign and

46:16

his efforts were integral to Trudeau's Victory and his Ascent to the prime minister's office in 2015 with Trudeau

46:23

in power bronfman was appointed Chief fundraiser for the liberal party charged with rejuvenating its Financial

46:29

structure his role was explicitly non-voting centered solely on fundraising efforts a point emphasized

46:36

by party officials to quell any speculation about his influence over policy however 2017 brought controversy

46:44

for bronfman through the paradise papers Scandal the documents revealed his and his associates use of offshore Havens

46:51

suggesting that Millions were channeled through the colber trust in the Cayman Islands by bronfman's term clarage these

46:58

Revelations ignited discussions on potential tax avoidance though bronfman and his team maintained that their

47:05

actions were legal and fully compliant with existing laws despite these challenges bronfman maintained

47:11

significant sway within the liberal party and his long-standing friendship with Trudeau and their Mutual support

47:18

cemented his status as a crucial player in the party's fundraising success their

47:23

close relationship was evident in their public appearances from personal Milestones like Trudeau's wedding to

47:29

prestigious events such as state dinners with foreign dignitaries meanwhile Edgar

47:34

bronfman Jr another Sion of the bronfman family made Unforgettable marks on the

47:39

music industry during the 1990s as head of Seagram Edgar was not

47:44

satisfied with overseeing the family's liquor business alone and he soon envisioned transforming seam into a

47:51

significant entertainment conglomerate particularly Within the Music sector this Vision led to the landmark purchase

47:58

in 1995 of an 80% stake in MCA records from Matsushita for 57 billion US a sum

48:07

far surpassing Sony's expenditure on CBS records in the previous decade this acquisition heralded crr's foray into

48:15

the music industry with Edgar quickly rebranding MCA records as universal

48:20

music group or umg which would come to dominate the global music scene under

48:26

Edgar's Le leadership umg was reinvigorated by strategic Acquisitions including the Monumental purchase of

48:33

polygram in 1998 for $10.4 billion and despite the digital Revolution and

48:39

declining physical album sales Edgar remained an optimistic proponent of streaming and subscription models

48:45

anticipating their potential to revolutionize music distribution and ensure industry growth under his

48:52

stewardship umg flourished navigating the competitive land Cape of the music

48:57

industry and adapting to the digital age securing its position as a Titan in the

49:02

realm of Global Music similarly Benjamin bronfman born in 1982 had Musical

49:09

inclinations that took a notable turn when he crossed paths with Kanye West collaborating with West he co-produced

49:16

tracks like monster from the grammy-winning album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and contributed to New

49:23

Slaves the lead single on West's yeus a work that garnered a Grammy nomination

49:29

but bronfman's entrepreneurial Zeal wasn't confined to music in 2007 his

49:35

environmental interests were on display when he co-founded Global thermostat with graciella chichil nisi an economist

49:42

this Venture focused on developing technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere by 2010

49:50

they had realized their Vision with a pilot plant at the Stanford Research Institute marking a significant step in

49:56

the fight against climate change in 2018 brontman Diversified his business

50:01

interests by founding dgh an investment firm targeting the burgeoning medical

50:06

cannabis industry he also took on a directorial role at Bed roken International a European company

50:12

specializing in pharmaceutical grade cannabis these days his Investments span

50:17

various sectors from technology startups to real estate collectively amassing a net worth of $1 100 million Us by 2024

50:27

similarly Hannah bronfman born in October of 1987 also in New York City

50:33

carved her own investment Niche leveraging the bronfman family name armed with a degree from Bard College

50:39

Hannah invests early stage Ventures intersecting Wellness Beauty and Technology such as kind body topicals

50:47

and poppy seed Health Beyond her entrepreneurial Endeavors much like other Millennial and gen Zed bronfman

50:54

Hannah has made her Mark as a DJ captivating audiences at high-profile brand events for Bulgari Dior and Fendi

51:03

thus from their humble Origins tilling the soil as struggling Farmers the brontman family first leveraged hotels

51:10

then by using that excess cash to buy Seagram they not only dominated the alcohol industry but also ultimately

51:17

expanded their empire into entertainment and finance shaping a legacy of unparalleled Global impact in the end

51:24

the ultra wealthy families of the English-speaking realm don't just influence their own backyards they

The Westons: The Canadian Family Who Bought Ireland

51:31

command power that leaps continents and oceans turning the West into a playground of prestige and influence

51:38

picture a family whose influence spans from North America's bustling metropolises to Europe's quaint

51:44

cobblestones taking it old school and ruling over a domain not in the fastpaced worlds of Finance or

51:51

technology but in the everyday essentials of food and Retail in today's

51:57

episode of old money luxury join us as we investigate a multi-billion dollar Dynasty that has perfected the art of

52:04

feeding Nations turning food stuffs into gold mines on the way to not only

52:09

becoming one of Canada's richest families but for many years the richest family in Ireland as we describe the

52:16

Western the Canadian family that bought [Music]

52:23

Ireland wealth riches money such basic words do not properly encapsulate the

52:29

sheer wealth that the western family possess because in terms of pure numbers

52:34

there are but a handful of people who own more than the Western with a combined net worth of

52:40

144.5 billion or just over $18 billion they Place seventh on the United

52:47

Kingdom's Sunday Times rich list thus the Western are regarded as the third

52:54

wealthiest family in Canada and until 2018 were renowned as the richest family

52:59

throughout Ireland's deep history and the Beating Heart of this endless wealth

53:04

is found in the family's primary asset its stake in Associated British Foods or

53:09

ABF for short this parent organization owns major subsidiaries such as Primark

53:16

a clothing retailer that no British High Street would be complete without as well as other popular brands such as British

53:23

Sugar and twinings as of 20 4 this Mammoth conglomerate ABF is worth the best part

53:30

of $20 billion in a recent financial statement the western family revealed that they

53:37

own a 56.2% holding in this company so to say that this holding is a

53:42

significant one in the family's portfolio is an understatement however the Western are

53:48

not just invested in teabags and t-shirts as they also have an illustrious real estate portfolio a

53:55

decision to Pur purchas Canada's Real Estate Investment Trust in 2018 allowed the Western to expand their real estate

54:03

portfolio to over 752 properties a number which will only increase with

54:09

time such properties are not high-rise buildings and Pen houses as you might

54:14

expect rather it is primarily comprised of a less flashy yet more profitable

54:19

sector grocery stores this strategy has allowed the Western to acquire sought

54:25

after property in Canadian cities exposing them to the financial returns of the booming Canadian property market

54:33

and the icing on this cake made of gold is the family's Holdings in fortam and Mason a luxury department store situated

54:41

at the heart of London acquired fully in 2001 this luxury store adds around £49

54:48

million or 62 million to the Western's net worth however the ownership of

54:54

fortam and Mason is so much more than financial it adds a certain old money

55:00

status to the family name that simply cannot be purchased as you can see therefore the

55:06

wealth reach and influence of the western is unparalleled the family has a

55:11

footing in every corner of the globe and whether you are buying a t-shirt from Primark in Britain or a pizza in a

55:17

Canadian grocery store you're only adding to the bank balance of the Western's expansive Empire but how does

55:24

a family acquire more money than it could even count to answer this question we must travel back in time to 19th

55:31

century New York now to many the year 1864 brings to

55:38

light the turmoil of the American Civil War yet In the Heat of such destruction

55:43

the foundations of an everlasting Legacy blossomed with the birth of George Weston on the 23rd of March

55:51

1864 though born in America George's parents were actually English immigrants

55:57

who primarily resided in Toronto Canada and upon the birth of George the family

56:04

quickly relocated to Toronto now being born the son of two immigrants who had a

56:09

total of eight children to provide for early Financial Security is not exactly

56:15

guaranteed to say the least and while the city of Toronto was bustling with business opportunities the western

56:21

family struggled to keep their finances afloat as a result George Weston received received a minimal education at

56:27

Welsley Street public school before leaving at just 12 years old to find work and provide vital income for the

56:34

family perhaps in the 21st century the idea of a 12-year-old seeking full-time

56:40

employment in Toronto is comical if not heart-wrenching yet in a situation as

56:46

financially perilous as the Western faced such was the only option and so

56:51

before he was even tall enough to look over the counter a young George Weston found employment at a local bakery taken

56:58

under the baker Charles J Frog's Wing George learned everything about the bread making industry over the following

57:05

years he soaked in knowledge as a sponge soaks water and despite his young age

57:10

began woring business ideas around his head in a desperate attempt to help his family to achieve some sense of

57:17

Financial Security several years later Weston moved on from his original job

57:22

working inside a bakery to a new position in which he began to deliver bread by delivering bread instead of

57:29

sitting inside a shop all day Weston was able to talk to new people absorb their ideas and learn invaluable sales

57:36

strategies strategies that would later form the core of his business ventures and through continued hard work Weston

57:44

was also able to build up a small savings which in 1882 he used to

57:49

purchase a bread delivery route formerly establishing George Weston Limited this

57:54

Venture allowed Weston to dramatically improve his earning potential and though he started with just one route and one

58:01

wagon Weston continued to work and earn until he was able to purchase another

58:06

route and another wagon two wagons turned to four four turned to six and by

58:12

1884 Weston was able to purchase the bakery he previously worked at this was

58:18

the turning point for George Weston and ultimately the Western Legacy using his

58:23

hard-earned experience in the industry George S sought to exploit a gap in the market and expand into wholesale bread

58:30

distribution you see come the turn of the 19th century the days of individuals

58:35

baking their own bread especially in big cities like Toronto were coming to an end people no longer had the time to

58:42

bake bread from home yet still wanted to enjoy a freshly made loaf Toronto had a

58:47

need and George had the technical Savvy and the resources to fulfill this need

58:53

and so in 1897 George relocated his business to a larger two-story building

58:59

and employed Henry Ford style production line techniques to create a bread making

59:05

factory dubbed the model bakery at its peak the model Bakery employed 40 staff

59:11

members and could produce 3,200 loaves of bread per day the move into the

59:16

wholesale Market to put it lightly was genius it took the Western out of

59:22

poverty laid out a blueprint for subsequent Business Development and was ultimately the reason why we are even

59:28

talking about the Western centuries later but George Weston was not done yet indeed there were many more hungry

59:35

mouths to feed outside of the bounds of Toronto and so throughout the early 1900s George began a crusade of

59:42

expansion utilizing train networks he was able to ship to 120 different cities

59:48

per day producing thousands of loaves of bread and making thousands more in

59:53

profit he also dipped his toes in the water of the biscuit Market which proved an instant success but in 1924 at the

1:00:01

age of 60 George Weston unfortunately passed away his life was one of hard

1:00:07

work poverty and struggle yet it was also one of growth and tremendous impact

1:00:12

through 48 years of hustle he had built an Empire that laid the foundations for future generations to come and there's

1:00:20

no doubt that the entrepreneurial spirit that flowed through his veins would be passed on to his children

1:00:26

[Music]

1:00:31

now it was George's eldest son Garfield Weston who would ultimately take the

1:00:36

brightly burning candle of Commerce from his father upon his death in

1:00:41

1924 born April the 3rd 1898 Garfield Weston was quite literally birthed into

1:00:48

his father's business his mother giving birth in an apartment that lay above George's Factory Garfield quickly grew

1:00:56

in appreciation for the business that his father built but the Allure of Glory in World War I swiftly dragged him away

1:01:03

as he signed up for the Canadian expeditionary force in 1917 however at the time of signing for

1:01:10

the military Garfield was a year below the minimum age requirement of

1:01:15

19 not wishing to lie about his age George put him to work at one of his biscuit factories where he cleaned the

1:01:22

floors and repaired broken equipment but it was hardly glad glamorous work yet

1:01:28

while working in these factories Garfield did gain a sense that the biscuit industry could be exploited to a

1:01:34

greater extent and so after serving in the military until 1919 Garfield assumed

1:01:40

a role as general manager of his father's biscuit Factory Garfield stayed

1:01:45

at this position until the death of his father when he took over as CEO of the

1:01:51

company as CEO Garfield Weston wanted one thing expansion

1:01:57

like many hungry successors Garfield felt that aggressive growth could only benefit his father's business and so

1:02:04

fueled by ambition Garfield worked as relentlessly as his father to supply new

1:02:09

customers with bread and biscuits with more efficient production and distribution methods four years later in

1:02:16

1928 Garfield made the daring decision to take the company public a clear sign

1:02:21

of the future growth soon after this Monumental decision Garfield looked to further capitalize on

1:02:28

the biscuit Market acquiring a majority share in an Ontario based confectionary

1:02:34

manufacturing biscuit yet come the early 1930s and the rise of the Great

1:02:39

Depression Garfield was faced with a previously unbeknownst problem the price

1:02:44

of wheat in Canada plummeted wheat farmers who were the lifeblood of the Weston's Empire could no longer

1:02:51

profitably sell wheat nationally and Garfield supply chain lay in Je

1:02:57

however Garfield Weston was not one to back down from a fight in fact he

1:03:02

devised a plan to dismantle two birds with a single Stone the plan was simple

1:03:08

Weston would buy bakeries situated in Britain modernize them and then import Canadian wheat to them which he promised

1:03:15

would make Superior bread than the British were used to and to say this plan worked would be an understatement

1:03:21

because by 1939 Garfield acquired a total of 30 bakeries throughout Britain

1:03:27

bakeries that helped to mitigate the effect of the Great Depression and bolster Garfield's already impressive

1:03:33

portfolio throughout the same period Weston dipped his toes in American Waters building manufacturing plants in

1:03:40

New Jersey Michigan and New York with Newfound economic stability the Western Empire was able to sail the choppy tide

1:03:47

of the second world war with relative ease however the Jeopardy that the business faced during the Great

1:03:53

Depression was still hot on the mind of Garfield and come the 1950s he felt it

1:03:58

was time to diversify you see there comes a point in every entrepreneur's career where the

1:04:04

Allure of a new market pulls too tightly for Garfield this Allure was found in

1:04:09

the form of the retail sector like his father had found a gap in the Canadian Market Garfield felt that in Britain

1:04:17

there was a distinct lack of Nationwide grocery stores and so he launched fine

1:04:23

Fair an all British grocery store chain that would later be renamed Associated

1:04:28

British Foods armed with his prior experience the launch of associated British Foods was astounding in

1:04:35

approximately a decade Garfield acquired over a thousand stores under the ABC brand as well as popular British Brands

1:04:43

such as twinings it's safe to say that this Venture proved almost immediately

1:04:48

profitable and would later become the Western family's predominant source of wealth however Garfield Weston's Legacy

1:04:55

is not one of purely Financial contribution as throughout his illustrious career this economic Titan

1:05:02

also sought to bolster his family name through Community work and philanthropic ventures in 1958 for instance Garfield

1:05:10

launched the Garfield West Foundation a grantmaking body that since its

1:05:15

conception has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to a variety of community

1:05:21

Charities however no candle can burn for too long and and in October of 1978

1:05:27

Garfield Weston took his final breath his legacy is one of growth

1:05:33

generosity and immense business strategy he took the Western Empire to new

1:05:38

heights and after his death the third generation had only to

1:05:49

gain the first key figure in the third chapter of the western timeline is one

1:05:54

Galen Weston born in 1940 Galen was like his father

1:05:59

before him indoctrinated into the family business from a tender age he worked closely in the company's retail

1:06:06

Department as an adolescent but like his ancestors felt that an expansion into new markets could only benefit the

1:06:13

family Empire and so in 1962 with the approval of his father Galen made a

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strategic move to the country of Ireland now perhaps to the uninitiated a move to Ireland may seem under whelming in

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comparison to Garfield's expansion to the US and Britain however in the 1960s Ireland was

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a land of opportunity you see after centuries of relative unpopularity Ireland was

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beginning to gain Traction in Europe galin looked to capitalize on this new

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found appreciation for the country first acquiring a grocery store in Dublin the country's capital in

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1962 galin's idea proved extremely fruitful and so over the next 3 years he

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purchased a further five stores Just 4 years later Galen added another key

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holding to the Western portfolio acquiring a bankrupt department store which he would rename pennies or Primark

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to those outside of Ireland you simply have to walk down a British town today to see how successful this Venture would

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turn out to be now with Galen being so busy solidifying the Western Empire in

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Europe he was unable to assume leadership come the death of Garfield thus the position fell to

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Garfield's Elder son Gary Gary was primed to take the Reigns of the Western Empire having served as

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the chairman of associated British Foods since 1967 as company leader Gary didn't look

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for the next Big Money Maker instead he preferred a slow burner approach

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choosing to consolidate Associated British food foothold in the British Market such a move proved successful and

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by battling fellow rival Spillers the 1980s saw ABC achieve a 30% market share

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in the British bread Market in 1991 he further Consolidated British presence with the purchase of Silver Spoon one of

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the largest sugar companies in Britain that remains on every Supermarket shelf to this day now with presence in Britain

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and Island solidified both Gary and Galen turned their attention to North America throughout the '90s and early

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2000s Galen for instance focused his attention on the expansion of the company's retail operations in Canada

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primarily through the retail chain lob laws which was purchased some years

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prior in 2001 Gary and Galen further oversaw the purchase of american-based

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company Best Foods baking for $1.7 billion this move expanded the company's

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production capabil ility by some 15 manufacturing plants and firmly solidified its presence on American

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soil with such booming prosperity in 2003 Galen sought to seriously level up

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the company's portfolio with the acquisition of selfes a luxury department store chain for £598 million

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or $750 million this purchase while later sold by the Next Generation marked

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a significant turning point for the Western Empire no longer were the Western Bakers grocery store owners and

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biscuit makers no they were now the proud owners of one of the highest end department stores in the United

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Kingdom the fourth generation of the western family therefore stood in a stronger position than any of their

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ancestors and the death of Gary in 2002 and subsequent retirement of galin in

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2016 opened the doors for this generation to capitalize on the success of their forefathers Gary Weston's son

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George G Weston assumed the position of chief executive of ABC in

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2005 however his time on the board has been plagued with tax avoidance schemes

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which has only tarnished the otherwise excellent public perception of associated British

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Foods galen's son Galen Weston Jr has faced similar public criticism Galen J

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junor took over as CEO of George Weston Limited in 2016 before assuming a leadership role of Canadian retail chain

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lob laws in 2021 however during this period Galen Jr

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has received criticism for reducing staff wages during the pandemic when key workers needed every penny they could

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make at the same time as reducing his workers wages it was reported that Junior increased his own salary to some

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$1.7 million it's there for clear that he did not inherit the philanthropic

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nature of his ancestors thankfully galen's daughter Elana Weston has helped

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to boost rather than detract from her family's Legacy her career has centered

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primarily on the growth of selfes which she was first acquainted with in 2004

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assuming the role of creative director during her time on the board she led the group with staggering

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efficiency in 2012 for instance her immense knowledge of fashion helped the brand to surpass1 billion in sales for

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the first time and after ascending to chair of the board in 2019 the following

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years saw selfridges take an active role in improving sustainability eventually in 2021 Thai

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company Signa group offered to buy self fridges for a total of $5 billion over

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six times what the Weston paid and with selfridges gone the torch has been passed to Janna kayat and Kate hob house

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Gary Weston's daughters to keep the Empire's luxury appeal burning with the running and operation of fortam and

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Mason now Jonna kayat left the board in 2008 leaving Kate to run the company as

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chairman throughout her career Kate has consistently increased fortam and Mason's annual profits and extended its

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Allure as a luxury brand significantly Kate has likewise emphasize

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sustainability as well as profits further bolstering the public appeal of this luxurious retail Titan ultimately

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the Western Legacy is one of unprecedented Financial abundance and the family through four generations has

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truly gone from rags to riches and will remain one of the richest dynasties for decades to come