That the Fuggerei has been in existence for 500 years is the work of many generations of the Fugger family. Jakob Fugger himself remained childless. In his last will and testament, he named the descendants of his brothers Georg and Ulrich as the people responsible for the foundations as long as their line existed. Already Jakob's nephew Anton Fugger set important directions for a successful future for the foundations. Over the centuries, other responsible people have also been successful in guiding the Fuggerei through economic and political crises, rebuilding it after destructions and adjusting the settlement to the times. The development of the Fuggerei was and is never finished – otherwise it would not be possible to fulfil its task as a home for people in need »in perpetuity«. Specifically this term in the deed of foundation is an obligation on the successors to Jakob Fugger to take innovative paths just like he did if they want to serve the continued existence of the Fuggerei.
Isabella Gräfin Thun-Hohenstein, Alexander Graf Fugger-Babenhausen, Leopold Graf Fugger-Babenhausen and Theresia Gräfin Fugger von Glött (f.l.) welcome Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation (centre), in the Fuggerei.
From the group of people responsible for the foundations as defined by Jakob Fugger, today there are three lines that go back to Anton and Raymund Fugger, both sons of his brother Georg. Each line sends a representative to the Princely and Comital Fugger Family Seniorat, which performs the tasks of a strategic decision-making level for the Fugger foundations on an honorary basis.
The 19th Generation after Jakob Fugger and his brothers is currently active in the Princely and Comital Fugger Family Seniorat:
The further development of the Fuggerei is a challenging task – especially in times of global challenges and rapid social change. With ideas such as Fuggerei NEXT500, the Seniorat is addressing this task selectively for the future of the Fuggerei and everyone who will also find a social home here in the future.