Sir Frank P. Lowy AC, born on October 22, 1930, in what was then Czechoslovakia, has had an extraordinary life that spans continents and industries. Of Jewish Slovak-Hungarian descent, Lowy is a prominent Australian-Israeli businessman, best known for co-founding Westfield Corporation, a global shopping center empire. His journey from a Holocaust survivor to a billionaire entrepreneur is a testament to his resilience, vision, and determination.
Early Life and Survival
Lowy’s early life was marked by the horrors of World War II. During the Nazi occupation, his family was forced to live in a ghetto in Hungary. In 1946, at the age of 16, Lowy fled to France, attempting to reach Mandatory Palestine. However, he was intercepted by British authorities and interned in a detention camp in Cyprus. Despite this setback, Lowy later joined the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary group, and fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War as part of the Golani Brigade.
Building the Westfield Empire
In 1952, Lowy moved to Australia to reunite with his family. He started working in a small goods delivery business before meeting John Saunders, another immigrant, in 1953. Together, they founded Westfield Development Corporation, a company that would grow into a global leader in shopping center development. Their first project was a shopping center in Blacktown, a suburb of Sydney. Over the next several decades, Lowy expanded Westfield into the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, turning it into a retail giant with billions in assets under management. In 2018, Westfield Corporation was acquired by French company Unibail-Rodamco for $15.7 billion.
Leadership and Philanthropy
Lowy’s influence extended beyond business. He was the inaugural chairman of Scentre Group, which manages Westfield-branded shopping centers in Australia and New Zealand. He also served as a Director of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 1995 to 2005.
In 2003, Lowy founded the Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading foreign policy think tank, dedicated to shaping the country’s role on the global stage. He also became the chairman of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), further cementing his commitment to security and international affairs.
Lowy is renowned for his philanthropy, contributing to causes ranging from cancer research to education. The Lowy Cancer Research Centre at the University of New South Wales was established with his family’s $10 million donation. He has also supported Jewish organizations and Holocaust remembrance projects, including the restoration of a railway wagon used to transport Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz, in memory of his father who perished in the concentration camp.
Football and Cultural Contributions
In addition to his business and philanthropic endeavors, Lowy played a pivotal role in reshaping Australian soccer. As chairman of Football Federation Australia (FFA) from 2003 to 2015, he helped resurrect the sport in the country, launching the A-League and positioning Australia as a member of the Asian Football Confederation. His efforts culminated in a campaign to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, although the bid ultimately went to Qatar.
Lowy was also a patron of the arts, supporting cultural institutions and amassing an impressive collection of Australian and international art.
Awards and Honors
Lowy’s contributions to business and society have earned him numerous accolades. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2000 for his service to the community and development of the retail sector. In 2017, he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his outstanding contributions to business and philanthropy.
Personal Life and Legacy
Lowy was married to Shirley Rusanow from 1954 until her passing in 2020. They had three sons, Peter, Steven, and David, who have all played significant roles in managing the family’s businesses and philanthropic initiatives.
After decades of accomplishments, Lowy moved to Israel in 2018, where he continued to be active in various charitable and cultural efforts. He passed away on November 28, 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most influential figures in global retail, philanthropy, and public life. His story of survival, entrepreneurial brilliance, and deep commitment to humanitarian causes will continue to inspire future generations.
