Holding Bethia

Holding Bethia is one of Chile's largest and most diversified business groups, with a portfolio spanning communications, transport, agriculture, and thoroughbred horse breeding. The group traces its origins to 1987, when Liliana Solari Falabella, a member of the family behind the Falabella retail empire, acquired a farm in Los Ángeles, southern Chile, to breed racehorses. That farm became Haras Don Alberto, now the country's leading thoroughbred stud. In 1994, the family's emerging businesses were consolidated under the name Bethia, inspired by one of the stud's early champion mares. The holding company is privately held and controlled by Liliana Solari and her children, Andrea and Carlos Heller. Bethia's operations are concentrated in three main sectors: communications through Megamedia (which includes the Mega television network, radio stations, and digital platforms), transport through Sotraser, and agriculture through Ancali. The group also holds a significant stake in Falabella, the Latin American retail giant, and has invested in real estate, healthcare, and wineries. Its 2013 acquisition of Vinery, a major Kentucky thoroughbred operation, extended its horse-breeding reach to the United States. Over the decades, Bethia has expanded through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. It acquired full ownership of Red Televisiva Megavisión in 2011–2012 and Isapre Colmena Golden Cross in 2013, later selling its stake in a regional clinics network. The group has also held interests in Aguas Andinas, LATAM Airlines, and various vineyards. Despite changes in its portfolio, Bethia remains a family-controlled conglomerate with a long-term investment horizon and a commitment to excellence in its operating businesses.

Bethia's history begins with a family passion for thoroughbred horse racing. In 1987, Liliana Solari Falabella, daughter of renowned horse breeder Alberto Solari Magnasco, purchased a farm in Los Ángeles, in Chile's Biobío Region, to breed racehorses. She named it Haras Don Alberto. Her children, Andrea and Carlos Heller, soon began developing businesses around the stud farm: a dairy operation called Ancali and a trucking company, Sotraser, to transport the milk. This group of emerging family businesses was named Bethia, after one of the stud's first champion mares. In 1994, the holding company Bethia was formally established. Initially, the group held interests in various sectors: a 12.5% stake in the multinational retailer Falabella, 50% of real estate developer Inmobiliaria Titanium, and 10% of the Club Hípico de Santiago, among others. It later expanded into agriculture with vineyards, transport, and sanitation services. At one point, Bethia also managed the Parmalat brand in Chile, which disappeared from the market in the 2010s. A major turning point came on December 27, 2011, when Bethia acquired 100% of the shares of Red Televisiva Megavisión, comprising the free-to-air channel Mega, ETC, and Candela FM (95.3 FM), from Grupo Claro. The transfer was finalized on March 16, 2012, for approximately $182 million. In January 2013, the group closed the purchase of Isapre Colmena Golden Cross and its participation in regional clinics for $500 million through a private investment fund led by the holding. Months later, it agreed to sell its stake in the Red de Clínicas Regionales to the Asociación Chilena de Seguridad and the Cámara Chilena de la Construcción. Also in 2013, Haras Don Alberto expanded internationally by acquiring Vinery, one of the most important thoroughbred breeding operations in Kentucky, United States. This cemented the group's presence in the global equestrian elite. Today, Bethia's productive activities are concentrated in agriculture (Ancali), communications (Megamedia), and transport (Sotraser), all leading companies in their respective industries. The group also maintains investments in the retail sector through Falabella and has held stakes in Aguas Andinas, LATAM Airlines, and various wineries such as Viña Indómita, Viña Santa Alicia, and Viña Dos Andes.

• 2013

  In January, Bethia closes the purchase of Isapre Colmena Golden Cross and regional clinic stakes for $500 million.

• 2013

  Haras Don Alberto acquires Vinery, a leading Kentucky thoroughbred operation, expanding into the United States.

• 2012

  The Megavisión transfer is finalized on March 16 for approximately $182 million.

• 2011

  On December 27, Bethia acquires 100% of Red Televisiva Megavisión from Grupo Claro.

• 1994

  Holding Bethia is formally established, named after a champion mare from Haras Don Alberto.

• 1987

  Liliana Solari Falabella acquires a farm in Los Ángeles, Chile, founding Haras Don Alberto for thoroughbred breeding.

A family-controlled Chilean conglomerate focused on long-term value creation across communications, transport, agriculture, and thoroughbred breeding, with a commitment to excellence and national development.

• Mega (television network)

  Chile's leading free-to-air television channel, part of Megamedia.

• Megamedia

  Communications division encompassing television, radio, and digital media.

• Sotraser

  Transport and logistics company, originally founded to transport milk from Ancali.

• Ancali

  Agricultural and dairy operation based in southern Chile.

• Haras Don Alberto

  Chile's premier thoroughbred breeding farm, with international presence via Vinery in Kentucky.

• Inmobiliaria Titanium

  Real estate developer known for the Titanium La Portada skyscraper in Santiago.

1. 1Bethia official websitebethia.cl
2. 2Holding Bethia - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Bethia - Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org