Eli Hurvitz hospitalized in serious condition
Former Teva CEO in 1976-2002 turned pharmaceutical giant into Israel's leading drug company, world's largest generic medication company. He received Israel Prize for lifetime achievements in 2001
Hurvitz, born in 1923, 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.
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