Elizabeth Gattermann


Johann Fugger was a weaver; he moved to Augsburg in 1367 and set up a weaving operation there. His son, Hans, however, was more interested in the business of weaving rather than the weaving itself. When he inherited the family business, he concentrated his energies on the buying and selling of rugs. He was successful and his business grew.

Hans Fugger married Klara Widolf, but she died before she had any children. Hans then married Elizabeth Gattermann, who bore him several children. His sons in turn expanded into a variety of businesses, and eventually the Fugger dynasty was the richest family in Europe. They funded kings and emperors, ran financial operations all over the continent.

Thus, Hans Fugger and Elizabeth Gattermann founded the Fugger Dynasty, making Elizabeth the first Mother Fugger.