Rich Lister, retailer, philanthropist: Marc Besen dies
Businessman and philanthropist Marc Besen – the co-founder of what became the Sussan clothing retail group – has died, aged 99.
Born in 1923 to a Jewish family in Romania, Mr Besen was a Holocaust survivor who fled to Europe after World War II and arrived in Australia (via Israel) in 1947.
Marc Besen: Former premier Jeff Kennett described him as “one of the most humane, humble, generous individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing”.
Australia’s second-oldest Rich Lister made his first foray into business with his wife, Eva, andbrother-in-law John Gandel, who took over two lingerie shops started by Eva’s parents in 1939.
That early retail beginning grew to become the Sussan clothing retail group, which was sold in 2003 to Mr Besen’s daughter, Naomi Milgrom. It includes the Sportsgirl, Sussan and Suzanne Grae fashion brands.
The Besens’ other children are Carol Schwartz, Daniel Besen and Debbie Dadon.
The majority of Mr Besen’s wealth, estimated at $2.23 billion by the Financial Review Rich List, came from the sale of his Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs. He sold a half-share to GPT for $621 million in 2006, then a further 25 per cent, also to GPT, for $680 million in 2017.
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett was among the first to issue a tribute on Wednesday, hailing Mr Besen as a man who had shared his success and wealth through the arts, sciences and environment.
Mr Besen had also been a long-time philanthropist to projects in Israel, including health, science, the arts and conservation.
“Over the last few weeks, it must have been particularly sad for him to witness again war in the Middle East,” Mr Kennett said.
“For his friends and acquaintances, the community has lost perhaps one of the
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