“I grew up on coffee and became a man”: the story of Rui Nabeiro, another millionaire

He was another millionaire who built an empire from scratch and became one of the richest men in Portugal. Rui Nabeiro passed away this Sunday at the age of 91.

Known to many for his hard work and simplicity, Rui Nabeiro was born on March 28, 1931 into a modest family and learned to cope with difficulties from a very early age. At the age of 12, he helped his mother in a small grocery store, and his father and uncles in coffee roasting, while the effects of the Spanish Civil War were being felt.

After the death of his father, Rui was 17 years old, he had to take care of the family, and at the age of 19 he took over the management of Torrefação Camelo, Lda.

In 1961, he created the well-known Delta Cafés, a business group that has a leading position in the coffee market in Portugal and is actively expanding internationally. In several interviews, Rui Nabeiro said that he had already been offered many millions of dollars for the company he created.

In 1982, he founded Novadelta, and two years later, in 1984, he created the then largest roastery in the Iberian Peninsula.

But Rui Nabeiro has received recognition for more than just his work. Throughout the expansion of Delta Cafés, Rui has never lost sight of the social aspect that categorizes the company as a company with a human face. And if in the village of Campo Mayor the unemployment rate is below the Alentejo average, it is thanks to Rui Nabeiro, who hired about four thousand people in the company.

He claimed to be a socialist and served as mayor of Campo Maior between 1977 and 1986 after being appointed by the PS. “I was born a socialist,” he told the newspaper To express.

Grupo Nabeiro – Delta Cafés was founded in 1988 and has more than two dozen companies.

In recognition of his business merits, on June 9, 1995, the former President of the Republic, Mario Soares, awarded him the title of Commander of the Civil Order for Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Merit – Industrial Class, and on January 5, 2006 he distinguished himself again, but already as a Commander of the Order of the Infante D. Enrique .

Still speaking professionally, Rui Nabeiro received one of Spain’s greatest honors in 2009 at the King’s behest. He was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic, which is awarded only to people who have shown loyalty to the country.

According to the newspaper Observer, “taking the Delta out of Campo Maior never crossed his mind.” The commander never left the village and worked every day to build a better future for his land.

“I grew up on coffee and made myself a man,” is a famous phrase that is depicted on the walls of the Coffee Science Center in Campo Maior, the message says. Observer.

“I am a sustainable person. For me, this word is very useful. For me, the word “sustainable development” means “to live by creating”. the industry itself. And this is to create and support, to create more jobs,” Rui Nabeiro said in an interview. Business magazine.

The commander is leaving the business, which is present in more than 40 countries, and the capital that was in his hands will now be divided by the heirs.

Rui Nabeiro was one of the greatest Portuguese businessmen, he was an example of citizenship and modesty, and the Delta Café brand will always be synonymous with his name.