Andrónico Luksic Craig is a Chilean businessman born on April 16, 1954, in Antofagasta, Chile. He is 69 years old and much of his fortune comes from his family, specifically the “Grupo Luksic,” founded by his father decades ago—placing him among the richest men in Chile.
A few months ago, Andrónico decided to step away from the business world, but his long and influential career still merits a comprehensive look.
He has five children, all from his marriage to Argentine Patricia Lederer Tcherniak. The couple separated in 2016, and since then, the Antofagasta-born businessman has been in a relationship with Rocío González.
Andrónico Luksic Ararbóa: where it all began
Who was Andrónico Luksic Abaroa? He was the father of Luksic Craig and the visionary behind Grupo Luksic, one of Chile’s most important conglomerates.
Luksic Abaroa began his business ventures in the 1950s in the mining and metals sector, which initially struggled due to the national economic situation.
Because of that, he expanded his operations to other South American countries like Argentina and Colombia. Eventually, conditions in Chile improved, and with Grupo Luksic gaining traction, Andrónico chose to reinvest in his home country.
At that time, the company became active in agriculture, mining, and related sectors with high potential. Meanwhile, young Luksic Craig completed his early education between Antofagasta and Santiago de Chile.
Later, he moved to the United States for high school and university studies, focusing on business in Massachusetts.
By the 1970s, around age 20 and following his father’s relocation to the United Kingdom, Luksic Craig returned from the U.S. and took charge of the family business in Argentina. That marked the start of a journey that only ended recently.
Luksic Craig’s early years in business
Interestingly, Luksic Craig first landed in Salta, Argentina, while his father had settled in London. The family business in Argentina included an auto distribution company and a brewery, and his first job was in the automotive sector.
It was also in Argentina where he met Patricia, his former wife and the mother of his five children.
By the late 1970s, Luksic Craig had firmly established himself in Argentina and, with Grupo Luksic, acquired Quiñenco, another Chilean conglomerate, which is now involved in finance, energy, alcoholic beverages, and more.
Under Andrónico’s leadership, Grupo Luksic separated Quiñenco from Antofagasta PLC, a mining group also acquired by the Chilean family with Croatian roots.
Over time, Quiñenco became the most significant part of the family company, diversifying into key industries. Today, various beer companies are over 50% owned by the group—and Banco de Chile, Luksic Craig’s greatest obsession, is another key asset.
This successful trajectory eventually led to his appointment as Vice President of Quiñenco in the early 2000s, ushering in a new phase in his leadership.
Major investments and deals in recent years
In 2005, his father Andrónico Luksic Abaroa passed away, and Grupo Luksic continued under the stewardship of Iris Fontbona, his widow and heir. Meanwhile, Luksic Craig was serving as Vice President of Quiñenco.
The Antofagasta native also entered the media world. In 2010, he acquired a stake in Canal 13, eventually becoming full owner. He was also part of an exclusive group of business leaders and international advisors until the end of 2015.
Another notable aspect of Andrónico Luksic Craig is his commitment to education. He founded organizations that promote early and youth education in Chile and serves as an advisor and board member for institutions and universities in the United States.
Luksic Craig’s transformation from 2017 to the present
Close to the businessman often describe him as a discreet, calm person, far from the spotlight. In 2017, he surprised the public by joining social media, making headlines due to his typically low profile.
This exposure revealed the other side of the Chilean businessman—his dedication to education and his investments in this sector through nonprofit organizations.
These actions also benefited Grupo Luksic, with Quiñenco shares multiplying and new expansion generating strong international interest.
However, as he approached 70, Andrónico Luksic Craig—after years of experience from his studies in the U.S. to working in Salta—released a statement to his team announcing his retirement from business life, including his roles at Quiñenco, Banco de Chile, and the beverage companies.
Following the deaths of his father and later his brother, he had taken on leadership in the bank and never stopped since. In his farewell statement, Luksic noted his decision to step down from Grupo Luksic, leaving behind a fortune estimated at 25 billion USD.