Stavros niarchos foundation

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.

Early life

He was born in Athens, 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.[2] 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.[3]
Shipping successes

He was a naval officer in World War II, during which time part of the trade fleet