Stavros Niarchos
Encyclopedia
Stavros Spyros Niarchos (Greek
: Σταύρος Σπύρος Νιάρχος; 3 July 1909 – 16 April 1996) was a Greek
shipping tycoon, sometimes known as "The Golden Greek." In 1952, Stavros Niarchos built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil
, and subsequently earned millions of dollars as global demand for his ships increased.
, son of Spyros Niarchos and his wife, Eugenia Coumandaros. His parents were naturalized Americans and had owned a department store in Buffalo, New York
before returning to Greece, three months prior to his birth. He studied law at the University of Athens, after which he went to work in the Coumandaros family's grain business. During this period, he became involved in shipping by convincing his relatives that greater profits could be achieved if the firm owned the ships involved.
officer in World War II
, during which time part of the trade fleet he had built with his uncle was destroyed. He used about two million dollars in insurance money to build a new fleet, and he was the owner of the yacht Atlantis ii and the island Spetsopoula
.
Stavros Niarchos founded Niarchos Ltd., an international shipping company that at one time operated more than 80 tankers worldwide. In 1952, he built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil
. His shipping rival, Aristotle Onassis
, did the same in 1952. In 1956 the Suez Canal Crisis
considerably increased the demand for the type of large tonnage ships that Niarchos owned. Business flourished and he became a billionaire
.
; and three sons: Philippos
, also known as Philippe, Spyros
, and the late Konstantin.
From the late 1970s until his death, he was linked to Princess Firyal of Jordan. He was also said to be linked to Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy
.
By his third and fifth wife Eugenia Livanos
, whom he never divorced under Greek law
, he had one daughter and three sons:
By his fourth wife Charlotte Ford,
and the United Kingdom
. He eventually acquired the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard
horse breeding
farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme
, France
and Oak Tree Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
where in 1984 he bred his most successful horse, Miesque
. Niarchos was the leading owner in France twice (1983, 1984) and topped the breeders' list three times (1989, 1993, 1994).
After his death in 1996, his daughter Maria Niarchos-Gouazé took charge of the racing operations. She continued to build on his success, and in 2004 her colt Bago
won France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
, and in 2005 her filly Divine Proportions won the Prix de Diane Hermes winning 9 out of her 10 races until her racing career finished with a serious tendon injury.
Stavros Niarchos died in 1996, in Zurich
. He is buried in the family tomb in Lausanne
.
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Σταύρος Σπύρος Νιάρχος; 3 July 1909 – 16 April 1996) was a Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
shipping tycoon, sometimes known as "The Golden Greek." In 1952, Stavros Niarchos built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, and subsequently earned millions of dollars as global demand for his ships increased.
Early life
He was born in AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, son of Spyros Niarchos and his wife, Eugenia Coumandaros. His parents were naturalized Americans and had owned a department store in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
before returning to Greece, three months prior to his birth. He studied law at the University of Athens, after which he went to work in the Coumandaros family's grain business. During this period, he became involved in shipping by convincing his relatives that greater profits could be achieved if the firm owned the ships involved.
Shipping successes
He was a navalNavy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
officer in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which time part of the trade fleet he had built with his uncle was destroyed. He used about two million dollars in insurance money to build a new fleet, and he was the owner of the yacht Atlantis ii and the island Spetsopoula
Spetsopoula
Spetsopoula is a private island situated to the southeast of Spetses, which is one of the Saronic Islands, in the region of Attica and the Aegean Sea. It was purchased by the Greek tycoon Stavros Niarchos, a native of Attica...
.
Stavros Niarchos founded Niarchos Ltd., an international shipping company that at one time operated more than 80 tankers worldwide. In 1952, he built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
. His shipping rival, Aristotle Onassis
Aristotle Onassis
Aristotle Sokratis Onassis , commonly called Ari or Aristo Onassis, was a prominent Greek shipping magnate.- Early life :Onassis was born in Karatass, a suburb of Smyrna to Socrates and Penelope Onassis...
, did the same in 1952. In 1956 the Suez Canal Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
considerably increased the demand for the type of large tonnage ships that Niarchos owned. Business flourished and he became a billionaire
Billionaire
A billionaire, in countries that use the short scale number naming system, is a person who has a net worth of at least one billion units of a given currency, usually the United States dollar, Euro, or Pound sterling. Forbes magazine updates a complete list of U.S. dollar billionaires around the...
.
Marriages
Niarchos's five marriages produced two daughters: Maria and ElenaElena Ford
Elena Ford is the daughter of Charlotte Ford, an heiress to the Ford Motor Company fortune, and the Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos. She is a granddaughter of Henry Ford II. She currently plays a major role in Ford Motor Company taking role of Director of Global marketing for the company...
; and three sons: Philippos
Philippe Niarchos
Philip Niarchos was born in 1954, the eldest son of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos and Eugenia Livanos , herself the elder daughter of Stavros Niarchos' rival Stavros G...
, also known as Philippe, Spyros
Spyros Niarchos
Spyros Stavros Niarchos was born in 1955, second son of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos and Eugenia Livanos. He is a grandson of another Greek shipping giant, his mother's father, Stavros G. Livanos....
, and the late Konstantin.
- His first marriage, in 1930, to Helen Sporides, a daughter of Admiral Constantine Sporides, lasted one year.
- His second marriage was to Melpomene Capparis in 1939, whom he divorced in 1947.
- His third wife was Eugenia LivanosEugenia LivanosEugenia Livanos was the third wife of Stavros Niarchos.She was the daughter of shipping magnate Stavros G. Livanos and his wife Arietta Zafirakis. Her sister was Athina Livanos, the wife successively of Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos. In 1947 she married Stavros Niarchos...
, a daughter of shipping magnate Stavros G. LivanosStavros G. LivanosStavros George Livanos was a native of Chios. He was the founder of the Livanos shipping empire and was a rival as well as father-in-law to both Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos.- Early life :...
. They married in 1947 and divorced in 1965; she died in 1970 at the age of 44, after an overdose of barbiturateBarbiturateBarbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They are also effective as anxiolytics, as hypnotics, and as anticonvulsants...
s.- During this marriage he had an affair with Pamela ChurchillPamela HarrimanPamela Beryl Harriman , also known as Pamela Churchill Harriman, was an English-born socialite who was married and linked to important and powerful men. In later life, she became a political activist for the United States Democratic Party and a diplomat...
(later Pamela Harriman).
- During this marriage he had an affair with Pamela Churchill
- His fourth wife was American automotive heiress and socialiteSocialiteA socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
Charlotte Ford (a daughter of Henry Ford IIHenry Ford IIHenry Ford II , commonly known as "HF2" and "Hank the Deuce", was the son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford...
), in MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Their daughter Elena Anne FordElena FordElena Ford is the daughter of Charlotte Ford, an heiress to the Ford Motor Company fortune, and the Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos. She is a granddaughter of Henry Ford II. She currently plays a major role in Ford Motor Company taking role of Director of Global marketing for the company...
was born six months later. The marriage ended in divorce the following year (1967), whereupon Niarchos returned to his former wife, Eugenia. No remarriage was necessary, since the couple's 1965 Mexican divorce was not recognized in Greece. http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/world/96/04/17/niarchos.html
- In 1971, Niarchos married his wife Eugenia's sister, Athina, Marchioness of BlandfordAthina LivanosAthina Mary Livanos Onassis Spencer-Churchill Niarchos was the second daughter of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Livanos. She was best known as the first wife of Aristotle Onassis, but she later married her older sister Eugenia's widower, Stavros Niarchos...
, who had been the first wife of Aristotle OnassisAristotle OnassisAristotle Sokratis Onassis , commonly called Ari or Aristo Onassis, was a prominent Greek shipping magnate.- Early life :Onassis was born in Karatass, a suburb of Smyrna to Socrates and Penelope Onassis...
. She died of an overdose in 1974.
From the late 1970s until his death, he was linked to Princess Firyal of Jordan. He was also said to be linked to Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy
Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy
Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy is a Savoyard princess and noted historian of Italy...
.
By his third and fifth wife Eugenia Livanos
Eugenia Livanos
Eugenia Livanos was the third wife of Stavros Niarchos.She was the daughter of shipping magnate Stavros G. Livanos and his wife Arietta Zafirakis. Her sister was Athina Livanos, the wife successively of Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos. In 1947 she married Stavros Niarchos...
, whom he never divorced under Greek law
Greek law
Greek law may refer to either*Ancient Greek law, or*the Greek continuation and expansion of Roman law in the east, Byzantine law, or*the law of the modern Hellenic Republic; see Politics of Greece....
, he had one daughter and three sons:
- Maria Isabella Niarchos, a breeder of thoroughbreds. Married to Stephane Gouaze. Mother of two children: Athur Gouaze and Mia Gouaze
- Philippos, also known as Philippe NiarchosPhilippe NiarchosPhilip Niarchos was born in 1954, the eldest son of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos and Eugenia Livanos , herself the elder daughter of Stavros Niarchos' rival Stavros G...
, art collector. Married in 1984 to his third wife Victoria Guinness (b. 1960), who is the younger daughter of Patrick Benjamin Guinness (son of Loel GuinnessLoel GuinnessGroup Captain Thomas Loel Evelyn Bulkeley Guinness OBE was a British Conservative politician, Member of Parliament for Bath , business magnate and philanthropist...
and his first wife, Joan, later Princess Joan Aly Khan and finally Viscountess Camrose) and Baroness Dolores von Fürstenberg-Herdringen. They had four children together: Stavros Niarchos Jr. (b. 1985), Eugenie Niarchos (b. 1986), Theodorakis Niarchos (b. 1991), Electra Niarchos (b. 1995) - Spyros (b. 1955) married 1987 (divorced 1999) the Hon. Daphne GuinnessDaphne GuinnessThe Honourable Daphne Diana Joan Suzannah Guinness is an artist of Irish, English, and French descent and an heiress of the Guinness family...
(b. 1967), daughter of Jonathan Guinness, 3rd Baron MoyneJonathan Guinness, 3rd Baron MoyneJonathan Bryan Guinness, 3rd Baron Moyne is a British peer and businessman. A member of the Guinness family, he is the elder of the two sons of Bryan Guinness, 2nd Baron Moyne and his first wife Diana Mitford , and until his retirement was a merchant banker for Messrs Leopold Joseph.-Early...
by his second wife Suzanne Lisney, and had issue three children: Nicolas Stavros Niarchos (b. 1989), Alexis Spyros Niarchos (b. 1991) and Ines Niarchos (b. 1995). Spyros is a good friend of Prince Ernst August of Hanover, and was best man at his wedding to Princess Caroline of Monaco. - Konstantin, or Constantine Niarchos (1962–1999); married 1stly 1987 (divorced) Princess Alessandra Borghese, no issue; married secondly the Brazilian artist Silvia Martin, no issue. He was the first GreekGreeksThe Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
to scale Mt. Everest. At his death of a massive cocaine overdose in 1999, The Independent (UK) reported he had been left one billion dollars as his share of his late father's estate.
By his fourth wife Charlotte Ford,
- Elena FordElena FordElena Ford is the daughter of Charlotte Ford, an heiress to the Ford Motor Company fortune, and the Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos. She is a granddaughter of Henry Ford II. She currently plays a major role in Ford Motor Company taking role of Director of Global marketing for the company...
(b. 1966) married 1stly 1991 (divorced) to Stanley Jozef Olender, married 2ndly 1996 Joseph Daniel Rippolone (divorced), with issue.
Thoroughbred horse racing
Stavros Niarchos began investing in thoroughbred horse racing in the early 1970s when he put together a highly successful stable of racehorses that competed in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He eventually acquired the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard
Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard
Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard was a Thoroughbred horse breeding farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme in the Orne department in Lower Normandy purchased by Marcel Boussac in 1919. Widely respected, Marcel Boussac was called "the greatest of French breeders" by John P. Sparkman, an editor with Thoroughbred Times....
horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme
Neuvy-au-Houlme
Neuvy-Au-Houlme is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.Neuvy-Au-Houlme is home to the historic Thoroughbred horse breeding farm, Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard and the standardbred farm, Haras du Ribardon.-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Oak Tree Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
where in 1984 he bred his most successful horse, Miesque
Miesque
Miesque was a champion Thoroughbred racemare, best known as the first horse to win two consecutive Breeders' Cups and racing awards in Europe and America. She was a Group one winner at two, three and four-years-old, for a total of 10 G1 wins. She produced five stakes winners.-Breeding:Miesque was...
. Niarchos was the leading owner in France twice (1983, 1984) and topped the breeders' list three times (1989, 1993, 1994).
After his death in 1996, his daughter Maria Niarchos-Gouazé took charge of the racing operations. She continued to build on his success, and in 2004 her colt Bago
Bago (horse)
Bago was the European Three-Year-Old Champion Thoroughbred race horse in 2004. Bred by the Niarchos family, Bago is best known for winning the 2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe amongst his five Group One successes....
won France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
, and in 2005 her filly Divine Proportions won the Prix de Diane Hermes winning 9 out of her 10 races until her racing career finished with a serious tendon injury.
Stavros Niarchos died in 1996, in Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
. He is buried in the family tomb in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
.