Eli Hurvitz
Photo: Avigail Uzi
Ex-Teva CEO Eli Hurvitz dies at 79
Leading industrialist, who turned Israeli pharmaceutical company into world's largest generic drug maker, succumbs to cancer
Former CEO of pharmaceutical giant Teva, Eli Hurvitz, died of cancer Monday night at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife Dalia, three children and nine grandchildren. He was hospitalized
in serious condition at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer last week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement mourning Hurvitz as "one of the greatest Israeli industrialists."
Hurvitz, born in Jerusalem, stepped down from the helm at Teva when he was 70 years old and became the chairman of the company's board.
In the 1980s he headed the Manufacturer Association of Israel, and for a while chaired the board of directors at Bank Leumi.
"I am an Israeli. I was born in Israel. My parents came to this country as pioneers in the previous century to dry swamps; they met in a small village," Hurvitz said in his speech at the Go 4 Europe conference earlier this month, were he received a lifetime achievement award.
"We have a joke in my family – my father had malaria and was running a high fever and that's why he didn't understand my mom and ended up marrying her.
"I've been married for quite a few years myself and last year celebrated my 50th anniversary. After so many years, I'm Israeli and have no doubts as to where I and my children should be'," he added.
In 1976 Hurvitz was appointed CEO of Teva, and in the same year won the industry's award for his achievements in chemistry. In 2001 he received the Israel Prize for lifetime achievements.
Calcalist contributed to this report
