Origins & Early Life

Jorge Paulo Lemann (born August 26, 1939) is a Brazilian billionaire investment banker, businessman, and former tennis player with dual Brazilian and Swiss citizenship. Lemann co-founded investment firm 3G Capital, which owns brands such as Burger King, Tim Hortons, Anheuser-Busch and Heinz. He is the third richest person in Brazil in 2026, with a net worth of US$19.8 billion (R$88 billion). In 1939, Lemann was born in Rio de Janeiro to Paul Lemann, a Swiss immigrant who founded the dairy manufacturer Leco, and Anna Yvette Truebner, a Brazilian of Swiss origin.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father died in a bus accident in 1953, when Lemann was 14. As a child, Lemann expressed aspirations of becoming an inventor, and admired Thomas Edison. He built different machines but they usually did not work out. Lemann attended the American School of Rio de Janeiro. In 1960, he received a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lemann did not enjoy his time at Harvard, stating that "My first year at Harvard was horrible. I was only 17 and I missed the beach and the sun a lot. Boston was too cold for me. It was my first time in the USA and I was not used to study or to write; we had to...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Amelia Earhart — Contemporary (Died in 1939) (1939): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.
• Barry Mann — Contemporary (Born in 1939) (1939): American songwriter and musician known for successful collaborations, especially with Cynthia Weil.
• Bobby Jones (singer) — Contemporary (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering gospel singer and television host from Nashville, Tennessee.
• Andrew Mellon — Shared historical date (08-26 · Died) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek — Shared historical date (08-26 · Died) (1723): Pioneering Dutch microscopist, known as the Father of Microbiology.
• Daniel C. Tsui — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering Chinese-American physicist known for quantum fluid research and Nobel laureate.
• Douglas Fairbanks — Historical peer (Died in 1939) (1939): Iconic silent film star, known for swashbuckling roles and founding United Artists.
• Bob Pettit — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): NBA star and coach, known for his dominance with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks.
• David Hockney — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Influential British artist known for vivid, stylized realism and pop art contributions.
• Alex Gibney — Historical peer (Born in 1953) (1953): Acclaimed American documentary filmmaker known for investigative works on power and belief.
• 1939 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1939
• August 26 (08-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 26