About Marcus Besen
Lived 1923 – 2023 (aged 99). Marcus Besen was a businessperson.
Marcus Besen (19 December 1923 – 8 November 2023) was an Australian businessman, philanthropist, and Holocaust survivor. He was the managing director of fashion retailer Sussan from 1951 to 1980, and he was involved in various philanthropic activities. In 2015, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Early life and education
Besen was born on 19 December 1923 in Cernăuți County, Kingdom of Romania, to a Jewish family, the son of Gusta and Simon Besen. Eva predeceased him in 2021.
Honours and awards
Besen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy by Tel Aviv University in 1985. In recognition of his contributions to the community, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988.
2021
2022
2023
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Marcus Besen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Marcus Besen?
Australian businessman and philanthropist
When was Marcus Besen born?
Marcus Besen was born on 19 December 1923 in Cernăuți County.
When did Marcus Besen die?
Marcus Besen died on 8 November 2023 in Australia.
What was Marcus Besen's occupation?
Marcus Besen was a businessperson.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Marcus Besen. https://biography.guide/marcus-besen/
MLA: "Marcus Besen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/marcus-besen/.
Chicago: "Marcus Besen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/marcus-besen/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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