Emilio Botin

Fourth-generation banker became head of Banco Santander in 1986. Built it into Santander Central Hispano. The bank he chairs is now the fourth largest bank in the world by profits and eighth by stock market capitalization. Posted $10.9 billion in net profits in 2010. Over 14,000 branches worldwide; present in the U.S., through Sovereign Bank; in the UK is the third largest bank in the country by deposits. An early presence in Latin America, the region now contributes over 40% to profits. Daughter and heir apparent, Ana Botin, runs Banesto, bank's retail branch. Botin's great-grandfather discovered the famous Altamira caves in northern Spain in 1879. Emilio enjoys golf, hunting and fishing. Mr. Botín ran Banco Santander for three decades after succeeding his father as executive chairman in 1986, continuing a family dynasty at the bank that began in 1909, when his grandfather became chairman. Both father and grandfather were also named Emilio. The board of Banco Santander unanimously appointed Mr. Botín’s daughter Ana Patricia Botín its next executive chairwoman. Ms. Botín, 53, started as an investment banker at JPMorgan Chase in New York before returning to Spain and taking charge of Banesto, a failed Spanish bank that her father took over in a state auction in 1994. More recently, Ms. Botín was based in London, where she was in charge of the bank’s British operations. In addition to his daughter Ana Patricia, Mr. Botín’s survivors include his wife, Paloma O’Shea, a classical pianist, patron of the arts and founder of the Queen Sofía College of Music in Madrid; and five other children, Carmen, Emilio, Carolina, Paloma and Francisco Javier. Spanish news media said he had 17 grandchildren.