Moshe Wertheim, one of Israel's most prominent businessmen, died Wednesday at the age of 86. Wertheim was the controlling shareholder in the Central Bottling Company Group, more commonly known as Coca Cola Israel, and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, Israel's fourth-largest bank. He was also a majority shareholder in Channel 2's Keshet franchise, and had a stake in dozens of real estate and financial services ventures. Through the Central Bottling Company, which Wertheim founded in 1967 with the American investor Abraham Feinberg, he controlled several major Israeli brands, such as Tara dairy, Prigat fruit juices, Neviot mineral water and the Israel Beer Brewery. The Central Bottling Company controls 40% of the Israeli beverage market, with annual revenues upward of 6 billion shekels ($1.6 billion). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized Wertheim: "Muzi [Moshe] Wertheim was a man of the world who never forgot his roots. He was the salt of the earth, a gifted businessman, who believed in the principles of the free economy. He made an immense contribution to Israel's economy and was an inspiration to many. "He also assisted the Jabotinsky Institute, believing that [Zionist leader Ze'ev] Jabotinsky's legacy, along with the legacy of [Israel's first prime minister David] Ben-Gurion was vital to developing values among Israel's youth." Speaking of his personal relationship with the late businessman, Netanyahu said, "I had a special, warm relationship with him. When we would meet, he would bring with him books, marking pages he thought I would benefit from reading. He never stated the obvious or the trivial, and his advice always spoke to the root of things, the core of our existence as a nation and as a people. Muzi was an honest man, a good friend who loved Israel. I send my condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing." The Central Bottling Company's announcement of its founder's death read, "It is with great sadness that we bow our heads over the passing of Moshe Wertheim, a visionary and one of Israel's most prominent businessmen. The Board of Directors, management and employees offer their heartfelt condolences to the family." Wertheim was born to an Orthodox Jewish family in Jerusalem in 1930. He served in the Palmach, a pre-state military defense group, and fought in the 1948 War of Independence. He later attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he earned degrees in law and business. During his studies, he was recruited by the Mossad intelligence agency and was later stationed in Switzerland and Italy. In 1965 Wertheim resigned from the Mossad in favor of the private sector. After serving as chief financial officer at Assia, a pharmaceuticals company that later evolved into Teva Pharmaceuticals, he formed the Central Bottling Company, which would become one of Israel's most successful conglomerates. Wertheim is survived by his wife and two children.
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Coca Cola Israel owner Moshe Wertheim dies at 86
"Muzi Wertheim was the salt of the earth, a gifted businessman, who believed in the principles of the free economy," PM Netanyahu eulogizes one of Israel's most prominent businessmen • Wertheim's company controls 40% of the Israeli beverage market.