Memorial

With deep respect and admiration, we honour the life and legacy of Jorge Estera Sanza, founder of ESEI International Business School, who passed away on 2 January 2026.

Jorge’s life was the coherent expression of a clear and enduring belief: that education is a powerful force for personal growth, professional purpose, and social responsibility. For him, learning was never confined to classrooms or curricula – it was a lifelong commitment to understanding the world and contributing to it with intention.

He did not simply establish an academic institution; he built a vision. A vision where knowledge was inseparable from values, where cultural diversity was celebrated as a strength, and where critical thinking was not only encouraged, but expected. Jorge believed that educating professionals was not enough; education, in his eyes, was about shaping individuals capable of acting with judgment, ethics, and a sense of responsibility toward society.

His entrepreneurial spirit was both courageous and quietly ahead of its time. He championed internationalisation long before it became standard practice, creativity when rigid structures were the norm, and a close, human approach to education when efficiency alone would have been easier. What set Jorge apart was the rare alignment between his ideas and his actions – an integrity that became one of his most powerful lessons to those around him.

Beyond his academic achievements, Jorge left a lasting impression on people. Students, colleagues, and collaborators remember him as generous yet demanding, thoughtful yet decisive. He led with trust, listened with intention, and challenged others to grow – not through authority, but through example. His leadership inspired confidence, curiosity, and belief in one’s own potential.

Today, his legacy lives on in every classroom at ESEI, in every student who learns to think globally, and in every professional who chooses integrity and purpose in their work. The community he built stands as living proof that his vision was not fleeting, but enduring.

Most importantly, Jorge’s values and vision continue through his children, Jordi Estera and Carlota Estera, co-directors of ESEI International Business School. Through their leadership, his principles remain deeply woven into the school’s direction, culture, and future – ensuring that what he began continues to grow with care, intention, and purpose.

To remember Jorge Estera Sanza is to recognise a life whose impact extends far beyond titles or timelines. His influence lives on in the minds he opened, the people he guided, and the institution that continues to carry his vision forward.

His example remains.
His legacy continues.
His vision guides us.