Savour International

Interview with Dona Bertarelli Späth

What does a « normal » day in your life look like?

I get up early to be with my children. Then, like most other people, I go about my daily activities: mail, business, sports, family, friends. In the evening I am with my family - in short, like millions of other women.

How do you manage both family and business?

With strict discipline!

Your brother shifted his domicile to Saanen (Switzerland); you are the owner of the Grand Park Hotel in Gstaad. What relationship do you have with Switzerland?

I have lived in Switzerland since I was a child, near the shores of Lake Léman, and am very attached to the country. My father brought us here when I was small. Switzerland has the advantage of being international and yet private, easy to travel from and to, and has some of the best ski resorts around!

What is the relationship you have with Ernesto (private and professional)?

We have an excellent relationship and have been brought up to respect and understand each other and always be there for one another. We are very close and we pass on these same values to our children.

You are often in the USA; where do you feel the best?

I am in the US as much as in any other part of the world. I enjoy travelling either for business or for pleasure; however, I feel the best where my family is. My home is in Switzerland, and I am always happy to come back to Gstaad or to the canton of Vaud.

How did you come to sailing?

I have always sailed - my father was an avid racer and took me on board with him. For a few years people had suggested that I constitute a sailing team. I was interested in creating a team that was 100% women and at the time, the multihull boats on Lake Léman were not adapted for women only. The boats were too technical and the project was too complex. Bertrand Cardis then developed the D35 and it became more feasible, but I still wanted to wait a few seasons to see how the project could evolve. I met French champion Karine Fauconnier in 2006, who offered her services and mentioned that two boats were available. Ernesto introduced us to each other. We got along well, and after a few trial runs on Alinghi, I purchased a boat and the Ladycat all women's team project was born! We had a reasonable first season and hope to make good progress in 2008.

Over the summer season we saw great enthusiasm for the Ladycat concept. We hope that Ladycat supporters will enjoy the line of clothing and accessories, which were created in response to a real need for both flattering and informal chic sportswear for women. It is part of the overall Ladycat project and has a place within that.

Your family maintains a long tradition in social commitment. What is your position and what is your own personal social commitment?

I have always supported charities, for as long as I can remember, in the environmental, child health and support, and adult health arenas. So, for example, I am godmother of Smiling Children, a Foundation based in Geneva that works with children and mothers in different countries to give them some economic and social independence. Through Ladycat, I support the World Heart Federation's programme to prevent cardiovascular disease in women, Go Red for Women.

You are the co-founder and President of the Bertarelli Foundation. What is the exact purpose of this foundation?

The Bertarelli Foundation was originally set up to promote understanding of the many dimension of infertility. It sought to establish a scientific knowledge base on which patients and professionals could make informed decision about infertility treatment. It gave a human face to the field. Given that the Foundation has accomplished its mission, the FABER Foundation, in Lausanne, has taken over any further activities.

You are considered a very wealthy woman. How do you cope with that and what does luxury actually mean to you?

Luxury means being in good health and having time to be with my family.

Is there anything that you wish for that money cannot buy?

Good health for my family and myself.

How and where do your spend the holidays and Christmas?

The winter holidays are spent in Gstaad, where I like to visit the Grand Hotel Park and celebrate the New Year with my friends and family.

What personal goals do you have for the coming year?

My personal goals fit in with a longer term view of life, so that I always challenge myself to do better, whatever the activity. So for example, for the Grand Hotel Park it is to consistently provide better service and better hospitality, while for sailing it is to improve the Ladycat team's performance.

Cordial thanks, Mrs. Bertarelli Späth for the exclusively Interview.

J.Chaves, Publisher