Wertheimer, Pierre

Pierre Wertheimer's father, Ernest, emigrated from Alsace to Paris in 1870. In Paris, the senior Wertheimer showed interest in the theatrical makeup of the Bourgeois Company. Bourgeois developed the first dry blush. By 1920, it had become one of the largest and most successful cosmetic companies in France. Not limited to the European continent, was an international enterprise with corporate holdings in America. Their establishments in Rochester, New York manufactured and distributed the Helena Rubinstein line of face creams. ^[2] . Supporting Bourgeois as a family business, Pierre Wertheimer and his brother Paul took over the management of the company in 1917. ^[3]

In 1924, Coco Chanel entered into an agreement with Wertheimers to create a legal entity, Chanel Parfam.

Chanel believed that it was time to increase sales of her Chanel No. 5 fragrance. Since its inception, they have been available only as an exclusive offer for elite customers in its boutique. Recognizing the Wertheimers trading experience, their familiarity with the American market, and their capital resources, Chanel foresaw a successful alliance with them. Theophile Bader , founder of the Paris Galeries Lafayette department store, played an important role in organizing the business collaboration of Pierre Wertheimer and Chanel. Bader was interested in opening Chanel No. 5 sales at the Lafayette Gallery, to present the fragrance to the general public.

For seventy percent of the company's shares, the Wertheimers agreed to provide full financing for the production, marketing and distribution of Chanel No. 5. Theophil Bader was given twenty percent. For ten percent of the shares, Chanel licensed her name to Chanel Parfam and withdrew her participation in all business operations. ^[4] Ultimately dissatisfied with the distribution, Chanel spent more than twenty years to gain complete control of Chanel Parfam. In 1935, Chanel brought a lawsuit against the Wertheimers, which turned out to be unsuccessful. ^[five]

The Second World War brought Nazi seizure of all Jewish property and business, provided Chanel with full control over Chanel Parfam and the most profitable product, Chanel No. 5. Wertheimers were Jews, and in May 1941, Chanel applied for legalization from German officials her sole proprietorship. Chanel did not know that the Wertheimers, anticipating the upcoming Nazi actions against the Jews, took steps to protect their interests. Before fleeing from France to New York in 1940, he legally transferred control of Chanel Parfam to a Christian, French businessman and industrialist Felix Amyot . At the end of the war, Amio handed the Chanel to the Parthams back to the Wertheimers. ^{[6] [7]}

In October 1910, Pierre Wertheimer married Germain Revel, daughter of a stockbroker and member of the family of investment bankers Lazard.

Pierre Wertheimer was also the leading owner of racehorses. In 1949, he hired then 24-year-old Alec Head to train his horses. Wertheimers still continue to lead the race. Wertheimer horses have won many important races in France and the UK . Among the notable horses, he was the owner of Epinard, called the legend [1] of French racing.

selective wins:

• 1000 Guineas : (1935)
• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Betting: Vimy (1955)
• Epsom Derby : Lavandin (1956)
• Grand Prix de la Foret : Epinard (1922), Liliput (1956)
• d'Astarté : Eleda (1934), Janet (1956)
• Prizes Maurice de Gheest : “Sonny Boy” (1933), Janet (1956), Dwarf (1957), Tomahawk (1959)

After his death, his widow became the owner of outstanding horses such as Rechnika and Lifar.

• Grand Prix de la Foret : Democracy (1969), Lifar (1972)
• Grand Prix du Jockey Club : Roy Lear (1973)
• Madly d'Essay de Poulains : The Smelter (1972)
• When d'Ispahan : The Smelter (1972)
• Grand Prix Jacques Le Marois : Lifar (1972)

The racing stable and the Chanel house were inherited by his son Jacques Wertheimer, who continued to be the lead in the French race and who expanded the Chanel house. After the death of Jacques, the case passed to his sons, Gerard and Alain Wertheimers .

• Women stories from about.com
• Forbes.com: Forbes World's Richest People 2004
• Mazzo, Tilar J., “The Secret of Chanel No. 5.”, Records, 2010, ISBN 978-0-06-179101-7
• Thomas, Dana "Power For Cologne, The New York Times, February 24, 2002