Albert Heijn (businessman)

Albert Heijn (15 October 1865 – 13 November 1945) was a Dutch entrepreneur who was the original founder of Albert Heijn, which is now the largest food retailer in the Netherlands.

Biography
Albert Heijn was born on Oostzaan on 15 October 1865, the son of Jan Heijn and Antje de Ridder. His parents ran a successful store in the town.

On 27 May 1887, he married Neeltje de Ridder. On the same day, he took over his parents' store. The supermarket chain founded by his grandson Albert Jr. still carries the Albert Heijn name.

The first Albert Heijn store still exists today as a Museum at Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Heijn handed over the management of the company in 1920, to his sons Jan Heijn and Gerrit Heijn, and his son-in-law Johan Hille. Later, his grandchildren Albert and Gerrit Jan Heijn would further expand the family business.

Heijn died on 13 November 1945 in Amsterdam.