Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen | |
|---|---|
 Kristiansen in 2018 | |
| Born | (1947-12-27)27 December 1947 (age 77) Billund, Denmark |
| Alma mater | Aarhus University (BA) International Institute for Management Development (MBA) |
| Title | President andCEO ofThe Lego Group (1979–2004) |
| Spouse | Camilla Kristiansen |
| Children | |
| Father | Godtfred Kirk Christiansen |
| Relatives | Ole Kirk Christiansen (grandfather) |
Kjeld Kirk KristiansenR.1 (Danish pronunciation:[ˈkʰelˀˈkʰiɐ̯kkʰʁeˈstjænˀsn̩,-kʰʁæˈ-]; born 27 December 1947) is a Danish businessman who was the president and CEO ofThe Lego Group from 1979 to 2004. According to theBloomberg Billionaires Index, Kristiansen is the third richest Dane, with a net worth ofUS$7.92 billion as of March 2025.[1] He is the grandson of Lego founderOle Kirk Christiansen.
Kristiansen was born 27 December 1947 inBillund, 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.[2] He also appeared on many of the company's packages and marketing materials.[2]
Kristiansen graduated with a bachelor's degree fromAarhus University. In 1972, he received anMBA from theInternational Institute for Management Development in Switzerland.[1][3]
In 1979, Kristiansen became president and CEO ofThe Lego Group. He introducedthemes,minifigures, LEGO.com,Lego Mindstorms and licensed properties.[2] 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 ofKIRKBI A/S, Lego Holding A/S and the Lego Foundation.[2] 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, andAgnete Kirk Thinggaard, a Danish Olympicdressage rider.[4]
In 1995, Kristiansen bought Strathconon Estate, in the highlands of Scotland, covering 60,000 acres (24,000 ha). He later bought the neighbouring Scardroy and Ledgowan estates.[5][6]
He has received many awards in his professional career.
