Grupo Petersen confirmed that Enrique Eskenazi, the Argentine engineer and businessman, passed away at his home at the age of 99. "With great sorrow we inform that the engineer Enrique Eskenazi passed away at home at the age of 99. His children Esteban, Ezequiel, Sebastián, Matías, and Valeria, his 14 grandchildren, and his 9 great-grandchildren bid him farewell in an intimate ceremony, fulfilling an express request of their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His remains will now rest alongside those of his wife and mother of his children, Hazel Sylvia Toni Storey de Eskenazi," stated the company, as reported by Perfil.
Born on August 4, 1925, in Santa Fe, Argentina, Eskenazi graduated as a chemical engineer from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, reported La Nación. He specialized in food engineering at the Research Department of Continental Can Corp. and at the Illinois Institute of Technology in the United States, noted Clarín.
In the 1980s, Eskenazi began his career as General Manager of Bunge y Born before becoming General Manager at the construction company Petersen, Thiele & Cruz SA. He later took over the management of Petersen, Thiele & Cruz SA and eventually bought the company from its founding family.
Starting in the 1990s, Eskenazi led the transformation and expansion of Petersen, Thiele & Cruz SA into sectors such as urban services, agribusiness, energy, and finance, resulting in the formation of the current Grupo Petersen.
Under his leadership, the company acquired several provincial banks, including Banco de San Juan in 1995, Banco de Santa Fe in 1996, Banco de Entre Ríos, and Banco de Santa Cruz.
In 2008, through an agreement with Repsol, the Petersen Group acquired 25% of the shares of YPF, Argentina's largest oil company, and Eskenazi was appointed vice president of YPF after the acquisition.
In 2012, during the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Argentina acquired 51% of YPF, impacting Grupo Petersen. After the nationalization of YPF, Petersen Energía filed for bankruptcy in Spain.
Burford Capital sued the Argentina for the nationalization of YPF, and in 2023 obtained a favorable ruling that obliges Argentina to pay US$16.1 billion.
Beyond his business endeavors, Eskenazi was a founding member of the Argentine Food Industry Coordinator (COPAL), as reported by El Economista.
Eskenazi actively participated in interreligious dialogue groups, including the Ecumenical Foundation Conocer, as noted by Los Andes. He directed the Asociación Civil Cultural Centro Histórico Teatro Colón, promoting the development of the Plaza del Vaticano in Buenos Aires.
Grupo Petersen highlighted that Eskenazi "understood from a very young age the commitment of businessmen to the progress of the country and the well-being of their society, principles that he transmitted to the new generations of his family," according to Perfil. They added that he "also had an unbreakable bond until his last breath with family and humanist values."
"His career did not go unnoticed in the country or abroad. In effect, he was recognized in various fields as an inspiring businessman, with an innovative spirit and exceptional leadership capacity," Grupo Petersen stated. "His departure leaves a human and family void that is difficult to explain, although we know that his legacy and his ethical values will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him during his tireless work of more than seven decades, which he reflected in his autobiography Dreaming Life and Building Dreams, the motto that marked his humanist and philanthropic vision of life," the statement continued, as reported by Perfil.
Eskenazi leaves behind a legacy as a visionary businessman, promoter of Argentina's development, and defender of family values. His contributions to institutions such as COPAL, INTI, and the Unión Argentina de la Construcción underline his role as a reference both locally and globally, reported Los Andes.
Eskenazi's remains will rest alongside those of his wife, Hazel Sylvia Toni Storey de Eskenazi, fulfilling his express wishes, as noted by Página12. "His absence will not be definitive; the lessons of his life will endure in the generations that succeed him," concluded the official statement from Grupo Petersen, according to Los Andes.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.