The company heiress Verena Bahlsen has made headlines with her resignation from the management of the biscuit manufacturer Bahlsen. “I’m not leaving the company because I’m overwhelmed or have a burnout or something similar,” said the 29-year-old Bahlsen in an interview with the weekly newspaper “Zeit” according to the advance notice on Wednesday.
Bahlsen had reported panic attacks and tears in meetings after announcing her retirement in a post on the career network LinkedIn. “Many others who are in management positions cannot afford to really say how they are doing because they are dependent on shareholders, owners and whatever,” said Bahlsen of the “Zeit”.
“I’m definitely not ashamed that in a position of responsibility I sometimes feel scared, sad or overwhelmed.” What’s more: “I’m surprised that more people don’t cry in meetings. Maybe it’s another privilege story that I’m in a position to cry. But if something is sad, then I cry, of course.”
She doesn’t know how things will continue professionally: “I have linked my identity so closely to this company. To be honest, that’s the hardest thing: imagining who I could be without this company.” She is now considering doing an internship for a year “to get a taste of different worlds.”
Verena Bahlsen joined the Bahlsen family business at the age of 27 and became part of the company management as “Chief Mission Officer”. In the past, she had repeatedly caused a stir in the media because she praised capitalism and the purchase of sailing yachts, for example, or defended the employment of forced laborers at Bahlsen during the Nazi era.
“Everything on shares” is the daily stock exchange shot from the WELT business editorial team. Every morning from 7 a.m. with our financial journalists. For stock market experts and beginners. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music and Deezer. Or directly via RSS feed.
