Michel P. Fribourg (1913 – April 10, 2001) was an American billionaire businessman, the chairman and CEO of Continental Grain, a global agribusiness and food company founded by Simon Fribourg in Arlon, Belgium in 1813. In his New York Times obituary, he was called "certainly the premier figure in world trade in food of the 20th century".[1]

Michel Fribourg
Born1913
Antwerp, Belgium
DiedApril 10 2001 (aged 87–88)
New York, New York, US
NationalityBelgian and American
Occupationbusinessman
TitleChairman and CEO of Continental Grain
SpouseMary Ann
ChildrenRobert, Paul, Charles, Nadine and Caroline

Early life

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Fribourg was born in Antwerp and educated in France.[1][2]

Career

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He worked all of his life for Continental Grain a company owned by his family, rising to chairman and CEO.[1]

In 1944, following the death of his father, he became the fifth generation of Fribourgs to lead Continental Grain.[1]

In 1998, Forbes estimated his net worth at $2.4 billion, based on his ownership of Continental Grain and 75% of ContiFinancial.[3]

Personal life

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He was married to Mary Ann.[4]

They had five children, sons Robert Fribourg, Paul J. Fribourg, Charles Fribourg, Nadine Newman and Caroline Rosen.[4]

He died in New York on April 10, 2001.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e JOHN SCHWARTZ (April 12, 2001). "Michel Fribourg, 87, Trader Who Opened Soviet Market - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Beate Klarsfeld / Serge Klarsfeld (2015). Mémoires. Flammarion. ISBN 978-2-08132-399-5.
  3. ^ "The World's Working Rich". Forbes.com. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Paid Notice: Deaths FRIBOURG, MICHEL. P. - The New York Times". The New York Times. April 12, 2001. Retrieved June 12, 2017.