Amancio Ortega, the founder of Inditex, is not just one of the world's richest individuals; he is also among those who generate significant employment both within Spain and internationally. With over 155,000 employees, Inditex is one of the foremost fashion retailers globally, known for its wide range of brands including Zara, Pull&Bear, and Massimo Dutti. The company's job portal lists numerous employment opportunities, reflecting its continual growth.
The salaries for store staff at Inditex typically range from €18,000 to €24,500 per year, but more specialized roles can command much higher salaries. For example, qualified positions within the company can see salaries peaking at €301,000 for certain roles. According to data from Glassdoor, the highest-paying position within Inditex is the Commercial Vice President, with salaries between €286,000 and €312,000 annually.
Inditex is currently seeking skilled professionals for roles like web developers and market leaders, with published vacancies showing the company's commitment to drawing top talent. Recently, for example, two Product Manager positions were opened for Zara Man and other brands, with compensations reportedly around €299,500.
Ortega's early business ventures can be attributed significantly to the influence of Rosalía Mera, co-founder of Inditex and Ortega's first wife. Mera, who passed away in 2013, began her career as a seamstress and became one of the wealthiest women in Spain with her efforts. Together with Ortega, she founded the first Zara store in 1975, which set off the Inditex legacy.
Her story is one of remarkable determination and success. Growing up poor, she showed resilience and enterprise from young adulthood, primarily after starting their textile business focused on bathrobes, which expanded significantly to include various clothing lines.
Beyond business, Mera was known for her philanthropic work, particularly through the Paideia Foundation, which aims to support individuals with disabilities. After leaving her corporate career to care for her son born with cerebral palsy, she dedicated herself to social causes and charity, setting up projects to benefit people with disabilities.
Following her death, Ortega has continued this charitable legacy through the Amancio Ortega Foundation. The foundation has had a transformative impact, particularly with its scholarships for Spanish students to study abroad. Since its inception, over 4,700 students have participated, allowing them to experience life and education outside Spain.
The foundation's 2025-2026 scholarship program will offer opportunities for 450 students to study their first year of bachillerato (secondary education) in Canada or the United States. The program fully covers all expenses, including flights, accommodation with host families, tuition fees, and medical insurance.
Students who have previously benefitted from this program report transformative experiences. One participant expressed her excitement, saying, “I can confirm, without any doubt, everything I am experiencing feels like it's straight out of a movie.” Such testimonies underline the enriching nature of the cultural and educational exposure students gain during their year abroad.
The timeline for the current scholarship program began on September 2, with applications open until September 24, followed by testing and interviews. Successful applicants will be announced on December 18.
Ortega's philanthropic efforts don’t stop there. Last Christmas, Inditex made headlines for providing its employees with gift baskets worth €200, filled with traditional Galician products. This gesture has become somewhat of a phenomenon on social media, where employees express their appreciation for the company's generosity.
Among the items included are premium products like chorizo, fine wines, and various sweets, symbolizing both gratitude and the company's commitment to its roots.
Ortega's impact spreads beyond just employment and education; it extends to community well-being and social responsibility. His and Mera's legacy continues to resonate through the lives of many individuals who have benefitted from their economic ventures and philanthropic endeavors alike.
This blend of business acumen and social consciousness paints Amancio Ortega not merely as a billionaire but as a figure sculpting opportunities for thousands and uplifting communities through targeted support. His continuous engagement, both through Inditex and the Amancio Ortega Foundation, highlights the dual role of entrepreneurship: to innovate and profit and to give back meaningfully to society.
