Famous Greek Entrepreneurs

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 1 
Aristotle Onassis
(Businessman)
Aristotle Onassis
4
Birthdate: January 20, 1906
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: KarataÅŸ, Ä°zmir, Turkey
Died: March 15, 1975

A Greek shipping magnate who was one of the world's richest men at one point, Aristotle Onassis held the world's largest privately-owned shipping fleet at the peak of his career. He was involved in the privatization of the Greek national airlines as well. He had liaisons with many famous and beautiful women and was married to Jacqueline Kennedy.

 2 
Christina Onassis
(Businessperson, Socialite)
Christina Onassis
4
Birthdate: December 11, 1950
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City
Died: November 19, 1988

The daughter of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, Christina Onassis had an unhappy life. She lost both her parents shortly after her brother’s accidental death. She married and divorced 4 times and had a long struggle with eating disorders. She tragically died of a heart attack at 37.

 3 
Stavros Niarchos
(Greek Billionaire Shipping Tycoon Known For Constructing the World’s Largest Oil Supertanker)
Stavros Niarchos
3
Birthdate: July 3, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: April 15, 1996

Stavros Niarchos was a Greek shipping tycoon who was credited for building the world's biggest supertankers. He is also credited with founding an international shipping company named Niarchos Ltd. Niarchos is also remembered for his love for horses. A renowned thoroughbred horse breeder and racer, Stavros Niarchos was often ranked number one on the breed list in France.

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 4 
Albert Bourla
(Veterinarian and the Chairman and CEO of Pfizer)
Albert Bourla
1
Birthdate: October 21, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Thessaloniki, Greece

Albert Bourla is a Greek-American veterinarian known for his association with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, Pfizer Inc., where he is currently serving as the chairman and chief executive officer. Bourla, who has held many executive roles across Pfizer's divisions, is credited with making Pfizer a company focused on research and development. In 2022, he was awarded the Genesis Prize.

 5 
Evangelos Marinakis
(director, businessperson)
Evangelos Marinakis
5
Birthdate: July 30, 1968
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Piraeus

Evangelos Marinakis is a Greek shipowner, media mogul, and lyricist. He also owns a couple of football clubs; Nottingham Forest in England and Olympiacos in Greece. A renowned businessman, Marinakis is credited with founding a marine support services company called Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. Evangelos Marinakis is often counted among the most influential and important shipping personalities worldwide.

 6 
Basil Zaharoff
(Greek Arms Dealer and Industrialist)
Basil Zaharoff
3
Birthdate: October 6, 1849
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Mugla, Turkey
Died: November 27, 1936

Basil Zaharoff was a Greek industrialist and arms dealer. Dubbed the mystery man of Europe and merchant of death, Zaharoff is remembered as a cunning and manipulative businessman who employed corrupt business tactics during the First World War. Interestingly, he was also a philanthropist, and his life inspired several fictional characters, including Ian Fleming's Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

 7 
Peter Diamandis
(Greek-American Engineer, Physician and Entrepreneur Best Known for Being the Founder and Chairman of 'X Prize Foundation')
Peter Diamandis
3
Birthdate: May 20, 1961
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, United States

Though the son of a physician, Peter Diamandis showed his interest in space science since childhood. He later paused his medical education at Harvard to study aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. The Greek-American engineer/physician is now a successful space entrepreneur, with investments in space tourism and rocket racing, and a bestselling author.

 8 
Ivan Savvidis
(Russian Politician and Deputy of the State Duma)
Ivan Savvidis
2
Birthdate: March 27, 1959
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Santa Gruzino, Tsalka

Ivan Savvidis is a Russian-Greek politician and businessman best known for his close association with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A former member of the Russian Parliament, Savvidis is currently one of Russia's wealthiest men.

 9 
Stavros G. Livanos
(Ship-owner and the founder of the Livanos shipping empire)
Stavros G. Livanos
2
Birthdate: 1891 AD
Birthplace: Chios, Greece
Died: May 28, 1963

Greek shipping magnate Stavros G. Livanos was a third-generation sailor who revolutionized the shipping business by investing in cash instead of credit. He was the father-in-law of his rival shipping tycoons Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, through his daughters Tina and Eugenia. He lived in London but also owned a villa in Greece.

 10 
Spiros Latsis
(Greek Billionaire and Business Magnate)
Spiros Latsis
2
Birthdate: January 1, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Greek shipping tycoon Spiros Latsis inherited his business and fortunes from his father, Yiannis Latsis. The LSE alumnus later expanded his investments into banking, oil, and real estate. He made it to the 2018 Forbes World's Billionaires list and was the second-richest Greek in 2015. He also contributes to education and social welfare.

 11 
Yiannis Latsis
(Businessman)
Yiannis Latsis
2
Birthdate: September 14, 1910
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Katakolo, Greece
Died: April 17, 2003

Greek shipping magnate Yiannis Latsis went from working as a deckhand and a merchant marine captain to being one of Greece’s wealthiest men. Apart from shipping, he later also invested in oil, construction, and finance, and established EFG Eurobank, one of Greece’s largest banks. He also contributed to educational and other charitable causes.

 12 
Lucas Papademos
(Economist, Politician, University teacher, Banker)
Lucas Papademos
2
Birthdate: October 11, 1947
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Athens

Lucas Papademos is a Greek economist and politician who served as the Governor of the Bank of Greece from 1994 to 2002. From 2002 to 2010, he served as Vice-President of the European Central Bank. An influential figure, Lucas Papademos also served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 2011 to 2012. 

 13 
Dimitris Melissanidis
(Greek magnate)
Dimitris Melissanidis
3
Birthdate: March 8, 1951
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nikaia

Dimitris Melissanidis is an oil tycoon and the owner of AEK Athens Football Club. Counted among the most successful businessmen in Greece, Melissanidis is credited with founding the world's largest independent fuel supplier, Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. In 2014 and 2015, he was included in the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Shipping Industry list by Lloyd's List.

 14 
Giannis Vardinogiannis
(Magnate)
Giannis Vardinogiannis
1
Birthdate: April 7, 1962
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Heraklion, Greece

Giannis Vardinogiannis is a Greek shipping magnate and part owner of Panathinaikos Football Club. He is counted among the most popular and important businessmen in Greece and has been named among other influential people in the shipping industry by Lloyd's List.

 15 
Vicky Kaya
(Model)
Vicky Kaya
1
Birthdate: July 4, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Vicky Kaya is a Greek television presenter, fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur. Kaya has graced the covers of several international fashion magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue, Madame Figaro, and Esquire. As an entrepreneur, Vicky Kaya is credited with founding a couple of brands, namely Great for Women and The Fashion Workshop, with the former focusing on women's well-being.

 16 
Yiannis Boutaris
(Greek Politician)
Yiannis Boutaris
1
Birthdate: June 13, 1942
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Thessaloniki

Yiannis Boutaris is a Greek politician and businessman who served as the mayor of Thessaloniki from 2011 to 2019. Apart from an improvement in the infrastructure of the city, Boutaris' term as mayor also witnessed the establishment of ecological organizations like Arcturos. Yiannis Boutaris is also credited with creating the Kir-Yianni wine company.

 17 
Theodore Angelopoulos
(Businessperson)
Theodore Angelopoulos
1
Birthdate: March 17, 1943
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vlachorraptis, Greece

While he initially studied law, Theodore Angelopoulos later moved to France to study film. Best known for his Palme d'Or-winning movie Eternity and a Day, the director is fond of using long takes and shots of gloomy weather. It is believed, his childhood experiences of the Greek Civil War shaped his filmmaking style.

 18 
Demetrius Vikelas
(1st President of the International Olympic Committee from 1894 to 1896)
Demetrius Vikelas
1
Birthdate: February 15, 1835
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ermoupoli, Greece
Died: July 20, 1908

Demetrius Vikelas was a Greek writer and businessman. He is best remembered for serving as the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) first president from 1894 to 1896. The Syros Island National Airport and the Sports Center Stadium in Syros are named in his honor.