Message of sympathy
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Heinrich Villiger, a towering figure in the global tobacco industry and recipient of the prestigious Habano Award for Business in 1997.
Mr. Villiger inherited a family legacy that had been devoted to tobacco for over a century. At the age of 20, he joined Villiger Söhne AG, dedicating more than seven decades to the advocacy, development, and international promotion of tobacco, especially premium cigars. His unwavering resolve in the face of anti-tobacco movements across Europe and his strategic vision enabled the Villiger brand to reach over 100 countries.
Throughout his career, Mr. Villiger served as President of Villiger Söhne AG, Managing Director of 5th Avenue Products Trading GmbH, Vice President of Intertabak, and a tireless ambassador of the Habano. His enduring commitment to tradition, excellence, and the values embodied by Cuban cigars led him to visit Cuba over 100 times, forming lasting bonds with the country he so deeply cherished.
His professional, cultural, and personal legacy remains etched in the annals of tobacco history. From all of us at Habanos, S.A., and across Cuba—his beloved second home—we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.
Mr. Villiger’s legacy will live on like the aroma of a fine Habano: timeless, refined, and rich with history.
