In Memory of Georg Heinrich “Heini” Thyssen-Bornemisza
11 November 2022

 

In memory of Heini Thyssen, our first president

Georg Heinrich “Heini” Thyssen-Bornemisza left us at the end of September, at the age of 72. He had served as full president of the board of governors of Reset Dialogues on Civilizations since its founding in 2005. Heini was an entrepreneur at the helm of the industrial group TBG and had distinguished himself over the past decades for significant donations to the Jonas Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a leading research center in La Jolla, California, which enabled, among many other cutting-edge initiatives, the establishment of the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis. With ResetDOC, he made a personal commitment to support our work in the field of intercultural dialogue, the promotion of pluralism and the defense of human rights. He had personally developed, from our meetings, actions to support Muslim intellectuals carrying liberal and reformist visions and others directed toward the renewal of environmental culture. Heini passed on the presidency of Reset Dialogues Europe and America when he took the chair of his newly created NOMIS Foundation in 2008, a powerful structure aimed at promoting innovation in basic and foundational science. From now on NOMIS would also become a valuable donor to our cause and Heini still followed our Association with insight, passion, and constructive criticism.
The Boards of both associations, the European based in Milan and the American based in Boston, express their condolences and sympathy to Heini’s family and are honoring his memory, his generosity, and his passion in committing to the goals he shared with us over the years.

On November 25, 2022, at 19.30, his son Simon, with his mother Katharina Kahane Meran, and other family members have organized a mass in his memory in the parish church of Sankt Michael at Michaelerplatz in Vienna, Austria.

5 thoughts on “In Memory of Georg Heinrich “Heini” Thyssen-Bornemisza

  1. Catherine Le Squerent says:

    I have only just learned of the disappearance of GHTB and I would just like to pay a sincere tribute to Mr. GHTB for the generous and truly “gentleman” personality that he has always been. I deplore his early death and send my very sincere condolences to his immediate family. Catherine (employee for a long time at his company in Monaco)

    • Mary Anne Finnell says:

      I was very saddened to recently learn of Mr. Thyssen’s demise. I was employed at TBG’s New York Corporate Office, which he visited frequently, until its closing in 2000. He was admired and respected, and always kind and a gentleman. I know he will be deeply missed, and I wish to extend my sincere condolences to his family. May he Rest in Peace.

  2. Mary Anne Finnell says:

    I was deeply saddened to just recently learn of Mr. Thyssen’s demise. I was employed at TBG’s New York Corporate Office which he frequently visited until its closing in 2000, He was admired and respected and always kind and a gentleman. I know he will be deeply missed and I wish to send my sincere condolences to his family.

  3. Gerard Markham says:

    It was a privilege to work a deal for TBG. Georg will be remembered by many people.
    His early death reminds scientists that cancer research is a top priority.
    I wish to send my sincere condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.

  4. Cornelia Dil says:

    I worked for about half a year for TBG Europe, in the Amstelveen office in Holland. I met Mr Thyssen there when he came over for meetings. I remember him as a very nice and “no nonsense” gentleman, and am very sorry he passed away. May he rest in peace. Wishing all the best to his family.

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