C lemens Toennies is a German billionaire known as Germany's 'Meat King'. He and his late brother, Bernd, co-founded the Tönnies Group in 1971, building it from a small butcher shop into one of Europe's largest meat processing companies. The company is a massive producer of pork and beef, with slaughterhouses and processing plants across Germany and other European countries.

Toennies is a powerful and often controversial figure in Germany. He was the longtime chairman of the supervisory board of the famous German soccer club, FC Schalke 04. His company has also faced significant criticism over its labor practices and its role in major COVID-19 outbreaks at its facilities. After his brother's death, he was involved in a lengthy and public legal battle with his nephew, Robert, over control of the company. He ultimately prevailed, buying out his nephew's stake to become the sole owner of the meat-processing giant.