Alexandre Grendene Bartelle, born on January 2, 1950, in Farroupilha, Brazil, is a self-made entrepreneur and co-founder of Grendene, one of the world's largest footwear manufacturers. His entrepreneurial journey is inextricably linked to his twin brother, Pedro Grendene Bartelle.

He initially pursued a traditional career path, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Law from the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. However, he quickly rejected the law profession to join his twin brother in business, focusing instead on industry. Their entrepreneurial roots began with a small, industrial venture, leveraging a loan from their grandfather to purchase plastic injection molding machines.

Alexandre Grendene's career is a masterclass in industrial diversification and brand marketing. He co-founded Grendene with his brother in 1971. Their first product was not footwear, but plastic basket holders for wine bottles in the wine-producing region of Rio Grande do Sul. They quickly innovated, producing plastic parts for agricultural machinery before pivoting entirely to footwear in the late 1970s.

The company’s breakthrough was the launch of the iconic plastic sandals: 'Melissa' (1979), inspired by French fishermen's strip-sandals, and the men's 'Rider' sandals (1986). Alexandre's genius lay in merging mass-market manufacturing with high fashion through celebrity partnerships—working with supermodels like Gisele Bündchen (who launched the massively successful Ipanema line) and designers like Vivienne Westwood. Grendene grew to produce over 250 million pairs of shoes annually, making it Brazil’s largest footwear exporter. He stepped down as CEO in 2013 but remains the Chairman of the Board.

Alexandre Grendene’s philanthropy is rooted in supporting his local community, a commitment that balances his global luxury lifestyle. His most notable public philanthropic act was a substantial donation in 2015 towards the construction of a veterinary hospital in his hometown of Porto Alegre.

His company's massive job creation—employing around 20,000 people and exporting products to over 90 countries—is his greatest economic contribution to Brazil. Grendene also commits to social responsibility by selling affordable, quality products that align with contemporary fashion trends, making designer-influenced style accessible to the masses.