According to the latest list of Forbes, María Asunción Aramburuzabala, one of the heirs of Grupo Modelo, has been recognized as the richest woman in Mexico, with a fortune estimated at USD 6,200 million. This distinction reflects not only his business success, but also the ethical and personal decisions he has made throughout his career.
In the year 2013, María Asunción Aramburuzabala chose to sell her stake in Grupo Modelo to the multinational AB InBev, a Belgian-Brazilian company. Unlike most of the company’s executives who decided to disassociate themselves completely, She decided to remain a shareholder, thus marking a crucial moment in her business career.
Recently, in an interview with Oswaldo Trava, María Asunción explained a decision that has resonated in the Mexican business and social sphere: his choice to pay full taxes to the Mexican government following the sale of his stake in Grupo Modelo, despite having the option of taking protection to avoid it.
In her own words during the interview, María Asunción shared: “When we sold Grupo Modelo, there was a group of shareholders who thought they could pay the taxes and protect themselves, and that because of the way the transaction took place, ‘we could be successful in preventing that from happening’”. However, she and her sister decided to take a different approach.
Sitting down to drink coffee, María Asunción and her sister discussed the situation deeply. They decided not to opt for tax protection and, in return, they paid the corresponding taxes in full. This decision, although controversial for some, she was motivated by a deep-rooted sense of responsibility and gratitude toward Mexico and her family.
In her own words, María Asunción shared the reason behind this ethical choice: “My grandfather was a man who was born in Spain, in a small town, where they were hungry. “He came to Mexico and Mexico gave him the enormous opportunity of his life.”. This family legacy and deep connection to Mexico guided his decision to comply with your tax obligations without trying to evade responsibilities.
Furthermore, María Asunción reflected on the impact of her choice: “If we had skipped paying that tax, I would not have skipped paying my or my sister’s tax, I would have skipped paying my grandfather’s, my dad’s, and ours’s tax.the one of three generations, you can’t do it.”
This position, although financially challenging, reflects a deep commitment to family principles and respect for the opportunities that Mexico has provided to his family throughout generations. For María Asunción, paying full taxes was more than a legal obligation; It was an act of integrity and recognition towards the country that has been fundamental in the history and success of his family.
In conclusion, the story of María Asunción Aramburuzabala and her decision to pay full taxes after the sale of Model group not only highlights her position as one of the most influential and richest women in Mexico, but also as a figure who defends ethical values and social responsibility in the business and personal spheres. His example resonates as a reminder of the importance of integrity and community commitment on the path to business success.
