Gerda Tschira is a German billionaire heir and philanthropist. Her immense wealth stems from her late husband, Klaus Tschira (d. 2015), a co-founder of SAP SE, the world's largest enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company. Her fortune is rooted in the immense liquid wealth generated from the SAP IPO in 1988 and the company's subsequent global dominance.

Gerda's career is defined by her role as a major philanthropist, acting as the shareholder of the Klaus Tschira Stiftung (Foundation), which her husband established in 1995 with the mission to fund the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. Her life's work centers on ensuring the continuous funding of this structural commitment to German scientific research and education.

Gerda Tschira's career is characterized by her stewardship and governance of the Klaus Tschira Stiftung. The foundation's profile is deeply influenced by her late husband's passion for curiosity, new findings, and innovative methods in the natural sciences. The foundation's massive endowment (contributed privately by Klaus Tschira) ensures it is one of Germany's most significant private charitable organizations.

The foundation’s work spans all levels of education, from kindergarten to universities and research institutions. Notable projects include establishing the Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF), which connects top minds in math and computer science with young research talent, and funding the Forscherstation (a competence center for early education in the natural sciences). Gerda's role is crucial in upholding the foundation's mission and promoting the dialogue between science and society.

Gerda Tschira's social impact is immense and structural, tied to the Klaus Tschira Stiftung's role as a major funder of German scientific research and education. Her commitment to making research understandable (Klaus Tschira often quoted Einstein: 'What you cannot explain to your grandmother, you probably haven't understood yourself') drives the foundation's focus on science communication.

Her structural contribution is the long-term, stable funding of intellectual capital in critical national sectors (math, computer science) and ensuring the legacy of the SAP founder continues to shape scientific progress.

Gerda Tschira maintains the discreet, intellectual style of a German academic philanthropist. Her attire is professional and unostentatious, favoring classic, high-quality wear. Her aesthetic reflects the stability and serious nature of her mission.

Residing in Heidelberg, Germany, her luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from her multi-billion dollar fortune. Her life is dedicated to the stewardship of her husband's legacy, focusing on scientific excellence and education.