Tragedy for Tetra Pak billionaire as second wife dies
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.