Famous Lebanese Business People

Carlos Ghosn is a French–Lebanese–Brazilian businessman who served as the CEO of Michelin North America. He also served as the chairman and CEO of Nissan and Renault. In 1999, he saved Nissan from near bankruptcy and turned around its fortune. In 2018, he was arrested in Japan for misusing Nissan's assets. He dramatically escaped from the custody is currently an internationally wanted fugitive.

Edmond Safra was a Lebanese Brazilian banker. His father was a prominent banker, and he began his career working at his father’s bank. He was hardworking, ambitious, and street-smart and started earning millions while still in his teens. He was also a major philanthropist. He died in an arson that attracted wide media interest.  

Joseph Safra was a Swiss-based Lebanese Brazilian banker and businessman. A billionaire, he ran the Brazilian banking and investment empire, Safra Group, and was the chairman of all Safra companies. At the time of his death in 2020, he was the richest person in Brazil. He was married to a Greek-born woman named Vicky and had four children. 

Moise Safra was a Lebanese-Brazilian businessman who co-founded Banco Safra—the sixth-largest banking institution in Brazil—with his brothers Edmond Safra and Joseph Safra. The sons of a prominent banker, the Safra brothers too cemented their place in the Brazilian financial services sector. Moise was also a major philanthropist. He was married to Chella Cohen Safra. 

Lebanese art collector, politician, businessman and sportsman Henri Philippe Pharaoun, who became the national tennis champion of Lebanon, is mostly remembered for the significant role he played in securing Lebanon's independence from France. He designed the Lebanese flag, served in the Lebanese Parliament and as the Lebanese foreign minister. As a Mediterraneanist, he supported peaceful coexistence between Christians and the Muslims.