MILAN – Rui Nabeiro, the founder of Portugal’s largest coffee roasting company Delta Cafés and a country’s leading entrepreneur, has died at the age of 91, the company said in a statement on Sunday. Nabeiro had been hospitalised for severe respiratory illness.
The grandson, and successor in the leadership of the Delta group, Rui Miguel Nabeiro, had sent a message on Saturday to the company’s workers admitting the “seriousness of the situation”, despite “all the efforts” that were being undertaken by the medical team.
Nabeiro was born on March 28th 1931, in Campo Maior, Alentejo. He founded Delta Cafes in his hometown, in 1961, starting with a small warehouse that roasted only 30 kilos of coffee per day.
Over the last few decades, the company has expanded to several foreign countries, such as Angola, Cape Verde, the United States of America and Canada. The group also operates in other sectors such as wine and tourism.
“The entire Delta family is deeply saddened by this loss and extends sincere condolences to all those who also lost a great friend today.
We are all committed to continuing his legacy and honoring his vision, continuing to produce the best coffee in the world, supporting local communities and promoting sustainability,” the statement also reads.
The Delta Group said that, “in due time”, it will disclose the details about the date and program of the funeral ceremonies.
