Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen

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Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen
Kristiansen in 2018
Born (1947-12-27) 27 December 1947 (age 76)
Billund, Denmark
Alma materAarhus University
IMD Business School (MBA)
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
Children
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[edit]

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[edit]

He has received many awards in his professional career.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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[edit]