In what year did De Beers become privately owned?

In what year did De Beers become privately owned?

• A. 1999
• B. 1998
• C. 2001
• D. 2002

Answer: (C)

Privatization means a company moves from public, traded status to private ownership. De Beers became privately owned in 2001 when Anglo American completed the buyout of the remaining public shares and took De Beers off the London Stock Exchange, placing it under private ownership within the Anglo American group. This date is the moment the company ceased to be a listed company, which is why 2001 is the correct answer. The other years don’t reflect the ownership change to private status.

Privatization means a company moves from public, traded status to private ownership. De Beers became privately owned in 2001 when Anglo American completed the buyout of the remaining public shares and took De Beers off the London Stock Exchange, placing it under private ownership within the Anglo American group. This date is the moment the company ceased to be a listed company, which is why 2001 is the correct answer. The other years don’t reflect the ownership change to private status.