C hristine Knauf is a German billionaire heiress and a shareholder of the family-owned company, Knauf Gips KG, a global leader in the building materials industry. The company was founded in 1932 by her grandfather, Karl Knauf, and his brother Alfons. They grew the business from a small gypsum operation into a multinational corporation famous for its drywall and plaster products.

As a granddaughter of one of the founders, Christine inherited a substantial stake in the privately held industrial giant. The ownership of Knauf Gips is divided among the descendants of the two founding brothers. While some family members are actively involved in leading the company, Christine's role is that of a major shareholder. Her wealth is a direct result of her ownership in one of Germany's most successful and enduring family-controlled enterprises.