Island leader delivers talk at Mainau Island. - Leader of island relinquishes administrative roles on Mainau Island
A Breezy Take
Bettina Bernadotte, the countess known for ruling the "Flower Island" of Mainau on Lake Constance, has decided to hang up her crown. She's stepping down from her co-managing director role, making room for a mix of family and external expertise to take the reins. Her brother, Count Björn Bernadotte, will continue his stint as managing director, according to the Mainau GmbH statement.
In a chat, the 50-year-old Bettina explained, "I'll still be a part of the Mainau family, sticking close through my duties on the foundation board." She's been leading the company since 2007, after all. The island near Konstanz is a family heirloom, belonging to the Bernadotte clan, descendants of the Swedish royal house, and nurtured by them for five generations.
The Mainau Island is a hot tourist spot on Lake Constance, boasting lush park and garden facilities, a baroque castle, a palm house, and a butterfly house spread across approximately 45 hectares. Yearly, it draws in over a million visitors, lured by the island's charm.
The Mainau GmbH team includes around 150 full-time staff and 30 trainees, with an additional 200 seasonal workers joining each year. The non-profit Lennart Bernadotte Foundation is the sole shareholder, and the search for the new external manager is already underway, a representative confirmed.
[1] While the search for a replacement for Countess Bettina Bernadotte is on, there's no official notification about whom the new co-managing director will be. However, the Mainau GmbH's statement suggests that the successor will not be from within the Bernadotte family, hinting at a shift in leadership dynamics.
- The Community policy of Mainau GmbH might need to address the integration of a new external co-managing director, following the resignation of Countess Bettina Bernadotte.
- As the countess steps down and homes are sought for the new co-managing director, the home-and-garden section of the island's lifestyle may undergo changes to accommodate the incoming leader.
