They opened up the first Aldi (Albrecht-Discount) in 1961. Karl took control of Aldi Sud (South), and Theo managed Aldi Nord (North). Karl became chairman of the board of Aldi in 1994. He relinquished the position in 2002 and none of the Albrecht brothers are associated with Aldi to this day. A 2002 study found that over 80% of Germans shopped at Aldi. Up until his death, Karl Albrecht lived in Essen and played golf at the course he built in 1975, the Oschberghof. His brother Theo passed away in 2010. Karl Albrecht died on July 16, 2014 at the age of 94.