BEATRIZ Zóbel de Ayala, matriarch of the family that controls the country’s oldest conglomerate, passed away on Monday. She was 88 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beatriz Zobel de Ayala,” the family said in a statement.
Born Beatriz Miranda Barcon in Madrid, Spain, in 1936, she married Jaime Zobel de Ayala in 1958. She kept a low profile and was known for her philanthropy and support for charities.
Doña Bea, as she was also known, leaves behind her husband, Don Jaime (Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus), as well children Jaime Augusto (Ayala chairman), Fernando (former Ayala president and chief executive officer (CEO), and currently a nonexecutive director), Bea, Patsy, Cristina, Monica and Sofia, along with their respective spouses and grandchildren.
Among her grandchildren who have joined the family business are Jaime Alfonso Antonio Zobel de Ayala, who is the co-CEO of AC Industrials — the industrial technology arm of the Ayala Group — and Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, senior vice president of Ayala Land Inc.
Ayala Corp., the publicly listed holding company of the Ayala Group, was founded in 1876 when the Philippines was still a colony of Spain. Headquartered in Makati, it owns a diverse portfolio that includes the country’s fourth-largest bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, dominant mobile services provider Globe Telecom Inc. and leading real estate firm Ayala Land.
Ten days before Doña Bea’s passing, Ayala Corp. was named as the highest-ranked Philippine company in the World’s Best Companies 2024 of Time magazine.
Former Ayala Museum director Nina Baker said she was heartbroken over the passing of the matriarch.
“Heartfelt prayers for Doña Beatriz Zobel de Ayala and the beloved family she leaves behind. A wise, beautiful lady and staunch supporter of Filipino culture. We are heartbroken,” she wrote on Tuesday on Facebook.
A memorial service will be held for her on Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sanctuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati City.
The family said that instead of flowers, donations to her favorite charities, Friends of Elsie Gaches and Tuloy Foundation, would be appreciated.
Be the first to comment