Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen
Kristiansen in 2018
Born (1947-12-27) 27 December 1947 (age 75)
Billund, Denmark
OccupationBusinessperson
Known forFormer CEO and Deputy Chairman of The LEGO Group
TitlePresident of The Lego Group
Term1979 - 2004
PredecessorVagn Holck Andersen[1]
SuccessorJørgen Vig Knudstorp
SpouseCamilla Kristiansen
Children3; including Agnete Kirk Thinggaard
Parent
RelativesOle Kirk Christiansen (grandfather)

Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰelˀ ˈkʰiɐ̯k kʰʁeˈstjænˀsn̩]; born 27 December 1947) is the former President and CEO of The Lego Group (1979–2004). According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Kristiansen is the third richest Dane, with a net worth of $6.75 billion as of April 2021.[2] He is the grandson of Lego founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.

Biography

Kristiansen was born 27 December 1947 in Billund, Denmark. His father, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, worked with his grandfather, Ole Kirk Christiansen, in the family business: Lego. As a child, he often inspired and tested new model concepts and their building instructions.[3] He also appeared on many of the company's packages and marketing materials.[3] In 1979, he became president and CEO of The Lego Group. Kristiansen introduced themes, minifigures, LEGO.com, Lego Mindstorms and licensed properties.[3] In 2004, he stepped down as president and CEO to focus on his role as owner of the Lego Group and vice-chairman of the board, while maintaining his role as chairman of the board of KIRKBI A/S, Lego Holding A/S and the Lego Foundation.[3] Lego is privately held and is controlled by the Kristiansen family and their foundations.

Kristiansen and his wife, Camilla, live in Denmark and have three children: Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Sofie Kirk Kristiansen, and Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, a Danish Olympic dressage rider.[4]

Kristiansen holds a bachelor's degree from Aarhus University and an MBA from IMD Business School, Switzerland.[5]

Awards

He has received many awards in his professional career.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Life at the world's largest toymaker". Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen". Bloomberg. 24 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "LEGO Legend Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen to be Inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame". What's the Buzz. Toy Industry Association. 2008-02-11. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  4. ^ Agnete Kirk Thinggaard Archived 2017-10-28 at the Wayback Machine, V.I.P.EDIA – seoghoer.dk
  5. ^ "Board". The LEGO Foundation. Archived from the original on 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  6. ^ "SE og HØR - Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen". SE og HØR. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Freedom Prize Awardees". Max Schmidheiny Foundation. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  8. ^ Moeller, Lise. "Laureates of the last decade". Institute for Managers and Development. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  9. ^ "Toy Industry Hall of Fame". Toy Industry Association, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-03-01.

External links

Lego
Categories