NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Rupert Roberts, the 88-year-old founder and visionary behind the Super Value grocery chain, has provided a positive health update from his hospital room at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In an exclusive communication with Tribune Business, the esteemed businessman confirmed his successful transition out of intensive care as he continues treatment for pneumonia, expressing unwavering optimism about both his personal recovery and the future trajectory of his enterprise.
The medical emergency began when Mr. Roberts was suddenly stricken with a severe case of pneumonia in Nassau, necessitating urgent blood transfusions. This prompted an immediate and heartfelt response from the Bahamian community, as Super Value employees and citizens alike rallied to donate blood after appeals circulated on social media platforms.
From his hospital bed, Mr. Roberts extended profound gratitude for the overwhelming support, acknowledging both the critical blood donations and the countless prayers offered for his recuperation. Social media channels were inundated with supportive messages from across the nation, including numerous testimonials from current and former staff members.
Medical procedures conducted by Dr. Duane Sands, former Minister of Health and Mr. Roberts’ personal physician, were crucial in stabilizing the businessman’s condition. Dr. Sands performed a critical intervention by extracting approximately 64 ounces of fluid from Mr. Roberts’ lungs, enabling his safe transport via air ambulance to the Mayo Clinic for specialized treatment.
Looking forward, Mr. Roberts anticipates returning to The Bahamas within approximately ten days, contingent upon medical confirmation that the pneumonia has been fully eradicated. During his remaining time at the clinic, he is expected to undergo a scheduled replacement of his heart pacemaker—a procedure previously discussed with his medical team.
Despite his advanced age, which he humorously dismissed by referring to himself as ‘still young,’ Mr. Roberts articulated strong confidence in the continued success of Super Value under the leadership of President Debra Symonette, who has managed daily operations for the past five years. He also highlighted the increasing involvement of his grandchildren, Patrick and Paige Waugh, signaling a thoughtful succession plan for the family business.
In a significant business development, Mr. Roberts revealed ambitious modernization plans for Super Value’s warehouse facilities, noting that the company is currently ‘operating in the Stone Age.’ The comprehensive upgrade project aims to double weekly shipping container capacity from 250 to 500 units, effectively catapulting logistics operations into the 21st century.
Mr. Roberts’ legacy extends beyond the supermarket industry. As the former chairman of Commonwealth Bank Limited from 1984 to 1992, he presided over a period of remarkable growth following the bank’s Bahamianization. Under his stewardship, the institution relocated its headquarters, expanded its branch network, and achieved an extraordinary 700 percent growth in total assets, surpassing $125 million while increasing net income from $1.3 million to $4 million during his tenure.