The Colruyt family is a Belgian noble family, belonging to the wealthiest noble houses of Belgium. In three generation they managed to climb to the top of the Belgian economy.
History
The history starts in 1925 when Franz, a baker in
Lembeek
Lembeek is a village with a population of 7,256 in the municipality of Halle, Belgium, Halle, Belgium.
Location
South-west of Halle, it is close to the language border between the Flemish Region and Wallonia. The Castle of Lembeek was demolished ...
, opened his own business. He was the second son in a catholic family of 11 children. Two of them became diocesan priests, and Camille became a famous artist specialised in Religious artifacts.
The family business still reflects his vision. The management of the family created financial success, in the last quarter of the 20th century the small family business developed into a big company. In 1972 by request of the family, the demolition of
Lembeek Castle
Lembeek is a village with a population of 7,256 in the municipality of Halle, Belgium.
Location
South-west of Halle, it is close to the language border between the Flemish Region and Wallonia. The Castle of Lembeek was demolished by request of ...
was accepted by the local politicians. The space was used for the expansion of the company.
Today the Colruyt family is among the most powerful families of
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
.
His grandson Jozef was ennobled by King
Albert II in 2012.
Genealogy
Jean Joseph Andre Colruyt (1868-1942), baker from
Lembeek
Lembeek is a village with a population of 7,256 in the municipality of Halle, Belgium, Halle, Belgium.
Location
South-west of Halle, it is close to the language border between the Flemish Region and Wallonia. The Castle of Lembeek was demolished ...
x Josephine-Marie Vanboerck.
##Joseph Marie Léonard Colruyt, (1900-1986): Artist, painter.
##
François Jean Baptiste Marie Colruyt,(1901-1958):
''married in 1927 to Adeline Alphonsine Marie Moens''.
###
Joseph Alphonse Marie Colruyt, (1928-1994): married in 1953 to Rita De Man.
####
Jozef Maria, 1st Baron Colruyt, created by King
Albert II.
##Gustaaf Maria Veroon Colruyt,(1903-1970):
''Honorary Canon of the Metropolitain Chapter of saint-Rumbold.''
##Camille Henri Veroon Colruyt, (1908-1973): Sculptor and fabricant of Religious art and Orvebrerie.
##Andre Jan Maria Colruyt, (1910-1974):
''Catholic Priest, archdiocese of Mechelen.''
References
{{Reflist
Roman Catholic families