May 17, 2025
Visionary trailblazer: Fresenius and the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation celebrate 100 years of Else Kröner
The Fresenius healthcare group and the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation are today paying tribute to the impressive legacy of Else Kröner, née Fernau (1925–1988), with a commemorative event. Around 170 guests representing science, politics, business, and society have been invited to the Städel Museum in Frankfurt. Among them are Nobel Prize winner for Medicine, Prof. Dr. Craig Mello; the Hessian Minister for Science and Research, Art and Culture, Timon Gremmels; the Lord Mayor of Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, Alexander Hetjes; and the Chairman of Fresenius Supervisory Board, Wolfgang Kirsch.
Else Kröner was born in Frankfurt am Main exactly 100 years ago, on May 15, 1925. As long-time Managing Director and later Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, she laid the foundations for Fresenius’ success as a leading global healthcare group. The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS), which she established in 1983, is today Germany’s largest foundation dedicated to the advancement of medicine.
“Else Kröner was one of Germany’s most successful female entrepreneurs. She shaped the global healthcare company that Fresenius is today and in doing so, she wrote business history. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, we would like to pay tribute to her remarkable legacy. Throughout her life, Else Kröner demonstrated great foresight and entrepreneurial courage. These qualities are today needed more than ever to secure Germany’s growth and prosperity as a business location. My 176,000 colleagues at Fresenius and I have taken over the task of building on the legacy she left behind. With #FutureFresenius, we are doing precisely this so that we can continue to fulfil our mission: To save and improve human lives. We are Committed to Life,” says Fresenius CEO Michael Sen.
“Else Kröner was both an outstanding entrepreneur and a passionate advocate of medical research and education. Her unwavering commitment and vision have made the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation what it is today – a driving force in the advancement of science and health. Since its founding, the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation has contributed more than 700 million euros to around 2,800 medical, scientific, and humanitarian projects. Her extraordinary lifework is a lasting source of inspiration for us all,” says Dr. Dieter Schenk, Chairman of the Board of the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation.
From pharmacy to global enterprise that sets industry standards
When Else Kröner, the foster daughter of company founder Dr. Eduard Fresenius, officially took over management of the Hirsch Pharmacy in Frankfurt and “Dr. Eduard Fresenius chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie KG” in 1952, the family business only had around 40 employees. The qualified pharmacist used her entrepreneurial vision to transform the company into a global healthcare group. She did this by expanding the product range, developing dialysis machines in- house, accessing international markets, and making targeted company acquisitions.Under her leadership, and that of her husband Dr. Hans Kröner, Fresenius researchers developed important medical innovations for the European market. These include infusion solutions in plastic bottles, which are still the industry standard today, and the first liquid food for diabetics.
Else Kröner’s legacy
Else Kröner’s achievements and commitment still shape Fresenius today. The company stands for access to affordable and innovative medical products and clinical care of the highest quality. Every year, Fresenius treats around 26 million patients and improves the lives of around 450 million people worldwide. With the current Rejuvenate phase of its #FutureFresenius program, the company is consistently focusing on the healthcare of tomorrow. Else Kröner’s values are reflected in the Fresenius Principles and are lived every day by employees in more than 80 countries.
Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research
The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation will confer the Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research during today’s ceremony. Endowed with 2.5 million euros, it will go to US researcher Prof. Dr. Anastasia Khvorova for her pioneering work in the field of RNA-based therapies. The foundation will also present a new biographical film about the life and work of Else Kröner.
For more information on Else Kröner, see www.fresenius.com/100YearsOfElseKroener
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (Frankfurt/Xetra: FRE) is a global healthcare company headquartered in Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, Germany. In the 2024 fiscal year, Fresenius generated €21.5 billion in annual revenue. Fresenius currently counts over 176,000 employees. The Fresenius Group comprises the operating companies Fresenius Kabi and Fresenius Helios as well as an investment in Fresenius Medical Care. With around 140 hospitals and countless outpatient facilities, Fresenius Helios is the leading private hospital operator in Germany and Spain, treating around 26 million patients every year. Fresenius Kabi’s product portfolio touches the lives of 450 million patients annually and includes a range of highly complex biopharmaceuticals, clinical nutrition, medical technology, and intravenous generic drugs and fluids. Fresenius was established in 1912 by the Frankfurt pharmacist Dr. Eduard Fresenius. After his death, Else Kröner took over management of the company in 1952. She laid the foundations for a global enterprise that today pursues the goal of improving people’s health. The largest shareholder is the non-profit Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing medical research and supporting humanitarian projects.
For more information visit the Company’s website at www.fresenius.com.
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