Greek businessman and shipping magnate Vardis Vardinogiannis has passed away at the age of 91.
Vardis Vardinogiannis was a Greek oil tycoon and shipowner, leading the Vardinogiannis Group and considered one of the most influential figures in the Greek economy, with a net worth estimated at $2.7 billion (as of 2024). According to Lloyd’s, he is listed among the prominent figures in global shipping.
He was born on 4 December 1933 in Episkopi, Rethymno, the son of Ioannis Vardinogiannis and Chrysi Theodoroulaki. He was the fifth of eight children, following his siblings Pavlos (1925-1984), Amalia (1927-2016), Sifis (1929-2002), and Nikos (1931-1973) and preceding George (1936), Theodoros (1942-1996), and Eleni (1946).
He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955, embarking on a career as an officer in the Hellenic Navy (then the Royal Navy), following in the footsteps of his brother Nikos. He was forced into retirement in July 1967 by the 21st April dictatorship with the rank of lieutenant commander due to his involvement in resistance activities and was exiled to Amorgos.
Since 1989, he has also been involved in the media, founding television channels such as Mega (which he owned until 2019) and Star, which he still held, along with the Alpha broadcasting network, acquired in 2018. He was married to Marianna Vardinogianni (née Bournaki) from 1961 until her death in 2023, and they had five children: Giannis (1962), Christianna (1964), George (1967), Nikos (1974), and Vardianna (1976). Both he and his wife engaged in significant philanthropic efforts.
Since 1972, he has led one of Greece’s largest business conglomerates, expanding into international industries spanning oil, shipping, banking, hospitality, and media. Notable companies under his leadership include Motor Oil, Optima Bank, Vegas Oil and Gas (Egypt), Avin Oil, Piraeus Bank, ANEK Lines, Ellaktor, Star Channel, Alpha TV, NJV Athens Plaza, AVE Group of Companies, and Odeon. The flagship of the group is considered to be the Motor Oil Hellas refinery unit.
In November 1990, he survived an assassination attempt by the terrorist organisation November 17, with three rockets striking his armoured vehicle, which protected him.
Vardinogiannis and his wife Marianna were among the founding members of the Robert Kennedy Leadership Council, alongside Bill Clinton and other world leaders.
Source: ANA-MPA
