Esther Grether passes away: Pioneer of the Swiss economy leaves behind an important legacy

Esther Grether passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025 at the age of 89. The Basel entrepreneur was one of the pioneers of the Swiss economy and leaves behind an impressive life's work.

The middle of three children, Grether grew up in modest circumstances in Basel and demonstrated a keen sense of business at an early age. She began her career at Doetsch Grether as an assistant to the company's patron at the time, Hans Grether, whom she later married. After his untimely death in 1975, she took over the management of the company as Delegate of the Board of Directors - an absolute exception in the Swiss business landscape at the time.

Doetsch Grether continued to develop successfully under her leadership. In 2014, she handed over the management of the company to Valentino Cè as Chairman of the Board of Directors, who realigned the company. Today, Doetsch Grether is one of the top ten Swiss companies in the consumer health market, with well-known brands such as Grether's Pastilles, neo-angin, ceylor, Omega-life and Vita Health Care. CEO Marc Wannhoff has been managing the family business operationally since 2020.

In addition to her entrepreneurial activities, Esther Grether was an important art collector. She built up one of the most important private art collections in Switzerland and regularly loaned works to museums - most recently in fall 2019 with 19 works at the Basel Art Museum.

Grether also made her mark as a shareholder of the Swatch Group and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Biel-based watchmaking group until 2014. In addition to her many professional commitments, she raised two children: Hans Christoph and Susanne Grether.

Esther Grether spent the last years of her life in seclusion at her home in Basel. The funeral will be held in a small circle.