Dieter Schwarz Biography
Dieter Schwarz was born in Heilbronn in 1939, opened the first Lidl store in 1973 and took over his father's firm in 1977 23.
Full nameDieter Schwarz
NationalityGermany
Known forOwner of the Schwarz Group (Lidl and Kaufland)
Born in Heilbronn
Dieter Schwarz was born on 24 September 1939 in Heilbronn, Germany 12.
The fruit wholesaler
After school he joined his father's fruit wholesale business 3.
First Lidl store
In 1973 he opened his first discount store, on Mundenheimer Strasse in Ludwigshafen 23.
Taking control
When his father Josef died in 1977 he took over and later bought the Lidl name from the co-owner Ludwig Lidl, a former schoolteacher 24.
Frequently asked questions
In Heilbronn, Germany, on 24 September 1939.
In 1973, in Ludwigshafen.
He bought the name from Ludwig Lidl, the co-owner of his father's firm.
Sources✓ Verified 14 Nov 2026
1 Wikipedia mirror, Dieter Schwarz, 1 Jan 1970, Birth, career
2 Wikipedia mirror, Dieter Schwarz, 1 Jan 1970, Lidl name
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