Aristotle Onassis was born on January 20, 1906, in Izmir, Turkey. He was raised in a wealthy Greek family and showed an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. After his family fled to Greece during the Greco-Turkish War, Onassis served in World War I before finding work at a telephone company.
Onassis quickly realized that his true passion lay in the world of business. He made his first fortune by smuggling tobacco, a risky but profitable venture. This early success paved the way for Onassis to become a prominent figure in the shipping industry. He founded the Onassis Shipping Company, which grew to become one of the largest shipping companies in the world.
One of his most famous projects was the Omega Project, a plan to develop a sustainable energy source for Greece. Onassis worked closely with Greek Prime Minister Col. George Papadopoulos on this initiative, although there were rumors of bribery surrounding their collaboration.
In 1968, Onassis made headlines when he married Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of President John F. Kennedy. The marriage was the result of a financial marital contract brokered between the two parties. Despite the controversy surrounding their union, Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy became a well-known power couple in high society.
Before his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy, Onassis was married to Athina Livanos, the daughter of shipping magnate Stavros G. Livanos. They had two children together, a son named Alexander and a daughter named Christina. However, their marriage came to an end due to Onassis's affair with opera diva Maria Callas.
Onassis's death in 1975 sparked a legal battle over his estate. Ted Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy's brother-in-law, negotiated her share of the estate, which was reported to be worth millions of dollars. Despite the controversies and scandals that surrounded his life, Aristotle Onassis left behind a lasting legacy in the shipping industry and beyond.