Scottish Daily Mail

Tragedy for Tetra Pak billionair­e as second wife dies

- By Piriyanga Thirunimal­an

BILLIONAIR­E philanthro­pist Hans Rausing has suffered another tragedy with the death of his second wife to cancer.

Julia Rausing died peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by her family, it was disclosed last night.

The 63-year-old had dedicated herself to a life of philanthro­py along with her husband.

The couple had donated £330million in more than 1,000 grants, including £50million to UK charities annually, through the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust which they co-founded.

They tied the knot in 2014, two years after the Tetra Pak heir’s first wife, Eva, died of cocaine abuse in 2012.

Announcing the death of Julia – a ‘much-loved wife, stepmother, sister and daughter’ – her family said: ‘Julia was widely known for her unwavering commitment to philanthro­py and her impactful contributi­ons to various charitable causes.

‘She co-founded the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust with her husband in 2014, a charitable fund supporting good causes in the UK and beyond. She was instrument­al in building the trust into one of the largest philanthro­pic funds in the country, donating to causes across health, welfare and the arts.

‘Notable amongst her many achievemen­ts was the speed with which she responded to the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, mastermind­ing an initiative to provide over £35million funding to help charities survive this turbulent time. She took a keen interest in all the trust’s giving, no matter how large or small the grant.’

Mr Rausing said of the death of his wife: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of my beloved wife Julia after an extended illness.

‘Julia dedicated her life to her family and charitable causes, and she will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind an extraordin­ary legacy across many charities which we will continue in her name.’

She is survived by her husband, sister, mother and four stepchildr­en.

The Rausing dynasty has property interests in Scotland.

The family bought the 65,000acre Corrour Estate, near Fort William, Inverness-shire, during the 1990s.

The National Gallery and other arts organisati­ons have received tens of millions of pounds in donations from the Rausings, and they were leading forces in fundraisin­g

‘Donated £330m to charity’

for charities during the pandemic.

They provided an £18million ‘lifeline’ for small and medium charities under the Charity Survival Fund in 2020, as well as a £16.5million emergency donation for other Covid causes, including a £1million donation for the Mail Force campaign.

 ?? ?? Legacy: ‘Beloved’ wife Julia Rausing with her husband Hans
Legacy: ‘Beloved’ wife Julia Rausing with her husband Hans

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