Background
Emilio Botín was born in Santander, Cantabria, on the northern coast of Spain, the eldest of two sons of Emilio Botín y Sanz de Sautuola, born in 18 January 1903, and Ana María García de los Ríos y Caller.
Emilio Botín was born in Santander, Cantabria, on the northern coast of Spain, the eldest of two sons of Emilio Botín y Sanz de Sautuola, born in 18 January 1903, and Ana María García de los Ríos y Caller.
Started working in Banco Santander in 1958 after graduation. Botín was no newcomer to the banking world. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all bankers. For six years took different positions, than became General Director. In 1986 Emilio Botín, then aged 52, took over from his father as president of the Banco de Santander, one of many banks that existed in Spain at the time.