Julia Rausing dead: Billionaire philanthropist Hans Rausing’s wife dies aged 63 after illness as family pay tribute
BILLIONAIRE philanthropist Julia Rausing has died aged 63.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday morning surrounded by her family following an “extended illness“.
Julia was the wife of Swiss food packaging titan Hans Kristian Rausing, who has now been widowed twice.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Hans, heir to Tetra Pak, said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of my beloved wife Julia after an extended illness.
“Julia dedicated her life to her family and charitable causes, and she will be missed by all who knew her.
“She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy across many charities which we will continue in her name.”
The couple donated £330million in more than 1,000 grants through the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust which they co-founded in 2014.
Their philanthropy included £50million to UK charities.
Their charity extended across the health and well-being, welfare and education plus the arts and culture sectors.
Julia worked at Christie’s auctioneers before she met Hans.
She is survived by her husband, four stepchildren, her sister Lavinia Verney and mother Lady Helen Delves Broughton.
One friend told The Independent: “They were palpably in love and affectionate towards each other and were a very touching couple who focused most of their time on how to give away money to those in need.
“They were also discreetly social while she also for many years had to battle cancer.
“Without a doubt, she was responsible for bringing Hans back from appalling grief and helping him find joy in life again.”
Hans’s first wife Eva, mother to his four kids, was found dead wrapped in bedding at the couple’s squalid Belgravia flat in July 2012.
He had hidden her body for two months before being charged with delaying her burial and sentenced to ten months’ in prison.
A coroner ruled Eva died around May 7 from the effects of cocaine on a damaged heart.
At the time she was one of the richest women in Britain.
Professor Hans Rausing, Hans’s father, died aged 93 in August 2019.