The Legendary Ikea Founder, Ingvar Kamprad, Has Passed Away
On January 27, 2018, Sweden discovered another pop‑culture icon had called it quits – the 91‑year‑old powerhouse behind the globally adored flat‑pack empire.
Ingvar Kamprad* didn’t just sell furniture; he sold a lifestyle, a story, and an entire philosophy of doing more with less.
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The Birth of a Global Brand
Age 17 (1943): Kamprad starts Ikea from his parents’ basement selling matches to neighbors.
Discovery moment (1956): Watching an employee strip a table’s legs to fit it into a car, he realizes “if you can fit more in a car, you can save money.” That’s the spark that birthed the iconic flat‑pack concept.
Name origin:
I – Ingvar
K – Knut (his middle name)*
E – Elmtaryd (family farm)
A – Agunnaryd (his hometown)
Fun fact: The name IKEA isn’t just a clever acronym; it’s a tribute to places the founder adored and a nod to his own roots.
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From Matches to Majestic Profits
Early hustle: Five‑year‑old Kamprad marketed matches, then diversified into seeds, Christmas decorations, pencils, and pens.
Flat‑pack revolution: 1956 – the first “stack‑and‑unpack” furniture hit the shelves.
Reaching new heights: Today, Ikea’s annual revenue is roughly 50 billion euros ($81 billion USD).
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The Person Behind the Company
South Swedish charm: Known for his hardworking, stubborn spirit, he always had a playful twinkle in his eye.
Personal habits:
Flea‑market fashion
Old Volvo driving
Economy‑class flights
Dyslexia‑friendly naming system for furniture (think “Karsl” for chairs, or “Eero” for curtains, names tied to Scandinavian places).
Legacy quote: “He worked until the very end of his life, staying true to his own motto that most things remain to be done.”
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Heartfelt Farewell from the Ikea Community
“One of the greatest entrepreneurs of the 20th century has peacefully passed away at his home in Småland, Sweden,” the company announced.“Ingvar will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by his family and Ikea colleagues around the world.”On Twitter, the official IKEA account shared a poignant tribute and a heartfelt message:
“Ingvar will be very missed and warmly remembered by his family and Ikea colleagues around the world.”
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Where It All Began
Birthplace: Born March 30, 1926, in southern Sweden.
Family roots: Staunch, generous, and forever anchored in the Swedish countryside.
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Remembering Kamprad
In a world where you can have a $1.50 game‑console or a $10 k shopper’s tote, Ingvar’s life reminds us that the value of smart saving and creative ingenuity is priceless.
May the lightbulb forever stay on for you, Ingvar.* (Pun fully intended.)
