The Life and Legacy of Mario Brescia Cafferata

A Heir to Ambition — Roots of a Business Empire

Born on September 25, 1929, Mario Augusto Brescia Cafferata hailed from a family already deeply embedded in enterprise. His father, Fortunato Brescia Tassano, was an Italian-born real-estate investor who laid the foundations of what would become Grupo Breca — a conglomerate that under Mario’s stewardship would transform into one of Peru’s most diversified and influential business groups.

Mario received a formal education in agronomy, graduating from the national agriculture school in 1951 — a choice reflecting the family’s deep ties to land and development.

Yet, it was not agriculture that defined his legacy; rather, it was his strategic vision and business acumen that propelled a modest family business into a sprawling conglomerate spanning banking, mining, fisheries, insurance, and infrastructure.

Building a Conglomerate — The Growth of Grupo Breca

After the passing of his father, Mario — together with his elder brother Pedro Brescia Cafferata — assumed leadership of Grupo Breca. Their joint stewardship turned the group from a real-estate firm into a diversified powerhouse.

Under Mario’s influence, the group expanded into many sectors: mining (through companies such as Minsur), fisheries (via TASA — which became one of the world’s largest fish-meal and fish-oil producers), insurance, explosives production, tourism, cement, and more.

In the financial sector, Mario eventually became president of BBVA Continental, the prominent Peruvian bank that was part of the Brescia-BBVA partnership.

Under their leadership, Grupo Breca came to play an outsized role in Peru’s economic landscape, contributing significantly to employment, infrastructure development, and national industry diversification.

Measures of Success — Wealth, Influence, and Recognition

By the time his wealth was last publicly assessed, Mario Brescia Cafferata’s net worth was estimated at US$1.8 billion, a figure that placed him among the world’s richest — with a Forbes ranking around #831 globally.

That fortune reflected holdings across multiple industries — from mining and fisheries to banking and insurance. The breadth of his interests illustrated a diversified approach that helped insulate the family’s wealth from sector-specific downturns.

Beyond raw capital, Mario’s influence extended to shaping Peru’s modern economic fabric. Through BBVA Continental, TASA, Minsur, and other entities — all under Grupo Breca — he and his family helped modernize industries, create jobs, and build infrastructure that would outlast his generation.

Family, Personal Life & Values

Mario was married to María Virginia Luisa Juana Moreyra Porras, and together they had three children: Fortunato, Mario, and Pedro Brescia Moreyra.

Though he maintained a relatively private personal life, those close to him remember him for discretion, discipline, and a commitment to sustaining and growing the family legacy rather than ostentatious display. This ethos helped cement Grupo Breca’s reputation as a stable, long-term institution rather than a flash-in-the-pan conglomerate.

In recognition of his contributions to Peru’s economy and development, Mario received high honors: among them the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru — awarded by the government — and honorary doctorates from multiple universities.

The Final Chapter — Passing the Torch

Mario Brescia Cafferata passed away on May 16, 2013, closing a defining chapter in Peru’s business history.

At the time of his death, he was serving as president of BBVA Continental, and although his passing marked the end of his direct leadership, the empire he helped build lived on. Control of Grupo Breca transitioned to the next generation, who took over under previously established family protocols.

His legacy remains woven into Peru’s industrial, financial, and social fabric — a testament to decades of strategic growth, diversification, and emphasis on long-term value.

Why Mario Brescia Cafferata Matters Today

Mario’s journey — from agronomy student to head of one of Latin America’s most prominent conglomerates — exemplifies how vision, discipline, and diversification can turn family legacy into national institution.

In an era when many business fortunes are built on narrow sectors (tech, finance, real estate), Mario’s model reminds us of the power of diversified holdings across sectors tied to real economic activity — from mining and fishing to banking and insurance.

For Peru, Grupo Breca under his leadership symbolized stability, sustained growth, and generational responsibility. For entrepreneurs everywhere, his story remains a masterclass in building lasting wealth with humility and long-term perspective.