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Albert Ballin

German businessman (1857-1918)

Knowledge panel

Occupation

entrepreneur

Born in

Hamburg

Born

August 15, 1857

Zodiac

Leo

22,366

days lived

61

age at death

Born
August 15, 1857 in 🇩🇪Hamburg
Died
November 9, 1918 in Hamburg (aged 61)
ResidenceHamburg
Zodiac
♌︎Leo·snake 🐍
Updated Jul 2026

About

Albert Ballin was a German shipping magnate. He was the general director of the Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG) or Hamburg-America Line, which for a time was the world's largest shipping company. Being the inventor of the concept of the cruise ship, he is known as the father of modern cruise ship travel. Albert Ballin was a risk-taker who was willing to challenge his colleagues, foreign competitors, and domestic politics in order to build a successful shipping company. He focused on British rivals and was determined to expand HAPAG's global reach, he also worked closely with the Kaiser and supported expansion of the German navy.

Birth Chart

Natal Chart

Albert's Birth Chart

Astrology
♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎☉☽☿♀♂♃♄⛢♆♇
Fire
Earth
Air
Water
☉

Sun Sign

Leo♌︎

☽

Moon Sign

Cancer♋︎

Dominant Element

Fire

⚠️ Rising sign requires birth time for accurate calculation

Planetary positions calculated for August 15, 1857

Connections4

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Shaherose Charania

entrepreneur

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Heinz Nixdorf

entrepreneur

Stefan Raab

Stefan Raab

entrepreneur

Omurbek Babanov

Omurbek Babanov

entrepreneur

Day Lookup ToolDay MilestonesOn This Day
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⚡ Timeline
1918
Day 22,365
Age 61

Death of Albert Ballin

Confidence
96%
Nov 9, 1918

Committed suicide in Hamburg, Germany, at the end of World War I.

1914
Day 20,800
Age 56

World War I Impact

Confidence
96%
Jul 28, 1914

The outbreak of WWI significantly impacted Ballin's shipping empire.

1910
Day 19,131
Age 52

Introduction of Tourist Class

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1910

Ballin introduced the 'Tourist Class' on HAPAG ships.

1900
Day 15,479
Age 42

HAPAG Fleet Expansion

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1900

Oversaw significant expansion of the HAPAG fleet.

1892
Day 12,557
Age 34

Development of Emigration Halls

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1892

Ballin developed modern emigration halls in Hamburg.

1888
Day 11,096
Age 30

General Director of HAPAG

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1888

Appointed General Director of Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG).

1886
Day 10,366
Age 28

Introduction to Wilhelm Meister

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1886

Became acquainted with Wilhelm Meister, a prominent figure in Hamburg.

1881
Day 8,540
Age 23

Joined HAPAG

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1881

Joined Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG).

1874
Day 5,983
Age 16

Early Business Ventures

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1874

Engaged in various business ventures in Hamburg.

1872
Day 5,252
Age 14

Apprenticeship

Confidence
96%
Jan 1, 1872

Started an apprenticeship in a Hamburg export firm.

1857
Day 0
Age 0

Birth of Albert Ballin

Confidence
96%
Aug 15, 1857

Born in Hamburg, Germany.