Sophie Opel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
February 13, 1840
Sophie Opel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sophie Opel February 13, 1840 |
| Died | October 30, 1913 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
| Years active | 1868 - 1913 |
| Known for | Transforming Opel to automobile manufacturing company and being its major and controlling shareholder |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Carl and Wilhelm |
Sophie Marie Opel also referred to as Mother Opel (née Scheller; February 13, 1840 - October 30, 1913) was a German industrialist. Under her management and controlling interest Opel transformed from manufacturing sewing machines and bicycles to automobiles.
Opel was born Sophie Marie Scheller on February 13, 1840, in Dornholzhausen, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire, to Friedrich Franz Scheller and Susanna Maria Scheller (née Fischer).[1][2] She had 13 siblings. Her parents were innkeepers and operated the inn "zum Hirschen" which her father purchased in 1828.[3] She attended the local schools where she also learned the French language.[4]
Career
After marrying into the Opel family, she would soon be involved and participating in the Adam Opel works of her husband. However, initially her dowry wouldn't be lavish, as the Scheller family was not wealthy. In 1869, her father, Friedrich Scheller, won 100,000 Thalers in the Lottery of the Duchy of Brunswick which he split between his surviving ten children. Sophie Opel invested her stake in the company of her husband which ultimately led to the purchase of a new steam engine. Her sisters Dorothée and Elise Scheller also invested in the Adam Opel works in Rüsselsheim and she managed the transformation from sewing machine and bicycle production to an automobile factory. After the death of her spouse and company owner Adam Opel in 1895 she became biggest shareholder and with two of her sons she developed the company to a leading European car company. In 1895 the firm already had over 1,000 employees.[5]
