Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn
Born	(1954-03-09) March 9, 1954 Porto Velho, Brazil
Occupation(s)	Businessman, former automotive executive
Known for	CEO of Michelin North America, chairman and CEO of Renault, chairman and CEO of Nissan, chairman of Mitsubishi Motors

Carlos Ghosn (; ; ; born 9 March 1954) is a prominent businessman and former leader in the automotive industry. He held top executive positions including CEO of Michelin North America, chairman and CEO of Renault, chairman and CEO of Nissan, as well as chairman of Mitsubishi Motors.

Ghosn launched his professional journey in 1978 at Michelin, Europe's leading tire manufacturer, where he occupied several managerial posts, notably overseeing operations in South America. In 1999, following Renault's significant investment in Nissan, he relocated to Japan to spearhead Nissan's recovery efforts. As COO and subsequently CEO, he introduced strategic restructuring initiatives that revitalized Nissan’s profitability and strengthened its position worldwide. By 2005, Ghosn had assumed the role of Renault’s CEO, simultaneously managing both firms. His leadership extended further in 2016 when he was appointed chairman of Mitsubishi Motors after Nissan secured a controlling stake.

In 2018, Japanese authorities detained Ghosn on charges related to financial improprieties, including underreporting his income and misappropriating corporate resources. While confined under house arrest awaiting trial in 2019, he made a daring escape from Japan by hiding inside a large container transported via private aircraft.

Early life and education

Carlos Ghosn’s grandfather, Bichara Ghosn, a Maronite Catholic originating from Ajaltoun during the French Mandate period in Lebanon, emigrated to Brazil at age 13. He settled in Guaporé, Rondônia near the border with Bolivia. Bichara was an entrepreneur who led ventures across rubber trading, agriculture, and aviation sectors. His son Jorge Ghosn married Rose Jazzar, a Lebanese woman born in Nigeria whose family had established roots in Porto Velho, Rondônia; together they had four children.

Carlos’ father Jorge (deceased 2006) worked as a diamond dealer and airline employee. He was convicted for the murder of a priest in Lebanon in 1960 and fled to Brazil amid the Lebanese Civil War in 1975.

Born on 9 March 1954 in Porto Velho, Carlos suffered illness from contaminated water during early childhood. Consequently, he moved with his mother to Rio de Janeiro but did not fully recuperate. At six years old, his family relocated to Beirut, Lebanon.

He completed his secondary studies at the Jesuit Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour in Lebanon and pursued preparatory courses at Collège Stanislas and Lycée Saint-Louis in Paris. Ghosn earned engineering degrees from École Polytechnique in 1974 and École des Mines de Paris in 1978.

Michelin

After completing his education in 1978, Ghosn dedicated eighteen years to Michelin, Europe’s foremost tire manufacturer, gaining experience across multiple factories located in France and Germany. In 1981, he was promoted to plant manager at the facility in Le Puy-en-Velay, France. By 1984, he led research and development for Michelin’s industrial tire segment.

At just 30 years old in 1985, Ghosn was appointed chief operating officer of Michelin’s South American division. Reporting directly to François Michelin, his mandate was to revive the struggling Brazilian unit amid severe hyperinflation. He introduced cross-functional teams blending French, Brazilian, and other nationalities to extract best practices, which shaped his management approach emphasizing cultural diversity as a business strength. Within two years under his leadership, the division achieved profitability.

Building on this success, he was appointed president and COO of Michelin North America in 1989 and relocated to Greenville, South Carolina. The following year he became CEO, where he oversaw restructuring efforts after Michelin acquired the Uniroyal Goodrich Tyre Company.

Renault after Privatisation

In 1996, Ghosn was appointed executive vice president at Renault, where he managed purchasing, advanced research, engineering, powertrain operations, manufacturing, and the South American Mercosur division. His bold restructuring initiatives played a key role in Renault regaining profitability in 1997, enhancing his standing for effective corporate turnarounds under CEO Louis Schweitzer following the company's privatisation.

Nissan and the Formation of the Renault–Nissan Alliance

In March 1999, Renault and Nissan established the Renault–Nissan Alliance, with Renault acquiring a 36.8% ownership stake in Nissan by May of that year. Ghosn joined Nissan as chief operating officer in June 1999, progressed to president in June 2000, and was named CEO in June 2001. At that time, Nissan was burdened with over $20 billion in net automotive debt and had only three profitable models out of 46 in its Japanese market lineup. The company’s recovery seemed nearly unattainable.

In October 1999, Ghosn unveiled the "Nissan Revival Plan," aiming for profitability by fiscal year 2000, achieving a profit margin exceeding 4.5% by fiscal year 2002, and reducing debt by half within the same period. He committed to resigning if these objectives were not fulfilled. The strategy included cutting 21,000 jobs (approximately 14% of the workforce), shutting down five Japanese plants, streamlining suppliers and shareholdings, and divesting assets such as Nissan’s aerospace division.

As one of the rare non-Japanese executives leading a Japanese automaker, Ghosn introduced significant structural and cultural reforms: abolishing seniority- and age-based promotions; redefining lifetime employment from an entitlement to a goal linked to performance; breaking down Nissan's keiretsu supplier network; and adopting English as the corporate language. These changes earned him the moniker "keiretsu killer" and brought European and North American executives into global strategic discussions.

Within twelve months of implementing the Revival Plan, Nissan reported a $2.7 billion net profit for fiscal year 2000, reversing a $6.46 billion loss from the previous year. By March 2002, all targets had been achieved ahead of schedule; operating margins surpassed 9%, more than twice the industry average.

In May 2002, Ghosn introduced "Nissan 180," which sought to boost global sales by one million vehicles by September 2005, maintain an operating margin above 8%, and eliminate net automotive debt by spring 2005. These objectives were met: net debt was cleared by fiscal year 2002; operating margin climbed to 11.1% in fiscal year 2003; and annual sales increased from 2.6 million units in fiscal year 2002 to over 3.67 million by September 2005.

Ghosn was appointed president and CEO of Renault in May 2005 while continuing his leadership roles at Nissan—making him the first individual to head two Fortune Global 500 companies concurrently.

That same year witnessed billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s attempt at a General Motors takeover involving Ghosn as chairman; the offer was rejected and Kerkorian divested most GM shares by year's end. In 2006, Ford extended an executive leadership offer to Ghosn; he declined unless granted both CEO and chairman titles—a condition Bill Ford Jr. refused.

In 2007, Ghosn committed over €4 billion ($5 billion) towards electric vehicle development through the Renault–Nissan Alliance. By 2012, plans were underway for a comprehensive range of zero-emission electric vehicles globally. The Nissan Leaf launched in December 2010 as an affordable zero-emission car. By 2017, Renault–Nissan dominated worldwide electric vehicle sales—selling more than double Tesla’s volume—with the Leaf as the best-selling model.

After the catastrophic March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Ghosn led recovery efforts at Nissan’s Iwaki engine plant near Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. Under his guidance, operations resumed ahead of schedule. He publicly promoted optimism and reaffirmed commitment to maintaining annual production of at least one million vehicles in Japan despite adversity.

In June 2012, Ghosn was named deputy chairman of Russian automaker AvtoVAZ’s board; he served as chairman from June 2013 until June 2016. Renault had held a strategic stake since 2008; partnerships intensified until Renault–Nissan gained control of AvtoVAZ by 2014.

In February 2017, Ghosn declared his intention to resign as Nissan CEO effective April while remaining chairman; Hiroto Saikawa succeeded him as CEO. By November 2018, Renault owned a 43.4% stake in Nissan while Nissan held non-voting shares amounting to approximately 15% of Renault’s equity.

Mitsubishi

In October 2016, Nissan secured a controlling interest of 34% in Mitsubishi Motors and appointed Carlos Ghosn as chairman to lead the company’s recovery following a fuel-efficiency scandal and falling profits. The collaboration between Nissan and Mitsubishi centers on electric vehicle development and is a component of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, ranking as the fourth-largest automotive group globally, behind Toyota, Volkswagen AG, and General Motors.

On 26 November 2018, Ghosn was removed from his position as Mitsubishi chairman after his arrest and subsequent dismissal from Nissan amid allegations of financial misconduct.

Advisory Roles

Ghosn was a member of the International Advisory Board for Brazilian bank Banco Itaú until 2015 and currently serves on the advisory board of Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management in Beijing. He holds an honorary doctorate from American University of Beirut and participates in the Strategic Council at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. Additionally, he was elected president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association for the years 2014 and 2015 and functions as a governor at the World Economic Forum.

Arrest and Detention

On 19 November 2018, Tokyo prosecutors detained Carlos Ghosn shortly after his arrival in Japan. Nissan accused him of underreporting compensation by nearly $80 million and misappropriating corporate assets, triggering an internal probe. Ghosn denied all allegations, maintaining that all payments were lawful and approved by internal auditors and the board.

He was held at the Tokyo Detention House for 108 days, frequently in solitary confinement, subjected to prolonged interrogations without legal counsel. Ghosn criticized the conditions as psychological pressure and condemned Japan’s pre-trial detention system as “hostage justice.” His wife, Carole Ghosn, appealed to international human rights organizations regarding his treatment and restrictions on communication.

Bail Proceedings and Corporate Allegations

Following several bail refusals, Ghosn was granted release in March 2019 on bail set at ¥1 billion (~$9 million), under stringent conditions including electronic monitoring and a prohibition on contacting his wife. He described these restrictions as punitive and draining. After being rearrested, Ghosn alleged that certain Nissan executives conspired against him to obstruct his efforts toward greater Renault-Nissan integration.

He identified particular Nissan officials involved and claimed that Japan’s legal system was exploited to execute a corporate takeover. Ghosn contended that multiple rearrests were intended to prolong his incarceration indefinitely and weaken his defense.

Flight from Japan and Global Repercussions

On 30 December 2019, Ghosn escaped Japan in breach of his bail terms, reportedly concealed inside a large audio equipment case aboard a private jet traveling from Osaka to Istanbul, then onward to Beirut. He characterized this act as an “escape from injustice,” criticizing a judicial framework where “guilt is presumed.”

Japanese authorities condemned the escape, revoked Ghosn’s $14 million bail, and issued international arrest warrants. Interpol released a Red Notice; however, Lebanon—where Ghosn holds citizenship—refused extradition requests. In 2021, two Americans who assisted in facilitating his escape were convicted by a Japanese court and sentenced to imprisonment. Lebanese officials imposed travel restrictions on Ghosn, while French authorities later issued an international warrant concerning alleged misuse of Renault funds.

Litigation, French Proceedings, and Enduring Impact

Upon reaching Lebanon, Ghosn initiated a $1 billion legal claim against Nissan and others implicated in his detention, alleging defamation, evidence tampering, and personal harm. He remains vocal through media appearances and documentaries, maintaining that his removal was the result of a corporate power struggle with political motivations.

Legal proceedings continue beyond Japan's borders. In 2022, French authorities issued an international arrest warrant concerning approximately €15 million allegedly spent for personal purposes through an Omani car dealership. Ghosn refuted these accusations and committed to cooperating with officials who guarantee a fair judicial process.

That same year, Greg Kelly, the former Nissan executive detained alongside Ghosn, was acquitted of most charges by a Tokyo court. The tribunal found the evidence insufficient to prove criminal intent during earlier periods; Kelly received a suspended sentence on one minor count, while Nissan faced a ¥200 million fine. Ghosn interpreted this outcome as confirmation that the entire case was driven by political agendas.

As of 2025, Carlos Ghosn remains in Beirut under travel restrictions, protected from extradition by Lebanese legislation. He affirms his determination to clear his name and reveal what he describes as a corporate overthrow facilitated by a flawed judicial framework.

Personal life

Ghosn's first marriage was to Rita Kordahi from Rayfoun, Lebanon, whom he met in France in 1984. Together they had four children: Caroline, Nadine, Maya, and Anthony. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2012. In May 2016, he wed Lebanese-American Carole Nahas and hosted an elaborate celebration at the Grand Trianon within the Palace of Versailles in October. Japanese media report that he owns six private homes located in Tokyo, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam, Beirut, and New York.

Dubbed by Forbes as "the hardest-working man in the fiercely competitive global automotive industry," Ghosn divided his time between Paris and Tokyo, traveling approximately annually by air. Japanese press nicknamed him "Seven-Eleven" due to his extensive working hours. He holds citizenship in Lebanon, Brazil, and France. Ghosn is recognized for a straightforward, results-driven management approach that prioritizes problem-solving through employee engagement and building diverse, cross-functional teams.

Fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese, he has also studied Japanese. Ghosn is a stakeholder in Ixsir, a winery based in Batroun, Lebanon. In 2012, he joined the Honorary Board of the American Foundation of Saint George Hospital in Beirut. Starting in 2020, he began mentoring business executives at USEK.

Although considered a potential presidential hopeful in Lebanon in 2007, Ghosn has consistently declined political involvement. A 2011 AXA survey placed him seventh among celebrities whom Japanese citizens wished to see lead Japan—ranking ahead of Barack Obama and then-Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

His legal representatives have disclosed that he suffers from chronic kidney disease, which worsened due to inadequate medical care during his incarceration.

Media portrayals

Beginning in November 2001, Ghosn's life was transformed into a Japanese superhero manga titled The True Story of Carlos Ghosn, serialized in Big Comic Superior and subsequently published as a standalone book in 2002. His likeness has also been featured on Lebanese postage stamps and incorporated into Japanese bento box designs.

He is the author of the acclaimed business bestseller Shift: Inside Nissan's Historic Revival. Additionally, Ghosn has been the focus of several business publications, including David Magee's Turnaround: How Carlos Ghosn Rescued Nissan and Miguel Rivas-Micoud's The Ghosn Factor: 24 Inspiring Lessons From Carlos Ghosn.

In 2022, Netflix premiered the documentary Fugitive: The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn, which chronicles his ascent, the internal conflicts at Nissan-Renault, and his subsequent arrest. Following this, Apple TV+ released Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn in 2023.

Honors and accolades

Throughout his career, Ghosn has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, such as:

• 2001: Topped TIME magazine’s Global Influentials list, outpacing Bill Gates.
• 2001: Designated Father of the Year by a Japanese community organization.
• 2002: Bestowed the Chevalier rank in France’s Legion of Honour.
• 2002: Recognized as Asia Businessman of the Year by Fortune.
• 2003: Awarded Man of the Year by Fortune Asia and ranked among the top ten most powerful global business figures.
• 2004: Became the first non-Japanese business executive to receive Japan’s Blue Ribbon Medal from Emperor Akihito.
• 2004: Inducted into both the Automotive Hall of Fame and Japan Automotive Hall of Fame.
• 2006: Honored as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
• 2010: Featured among "Most Respected CEOs" by CEO Quarterly; served on Takreem Award Committee from 2010 to 2018.
• 2011: Named Asia Business Leader of the Year by CNBC.
• 2012: Awarded Morocco’s Grand Cordon of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite; received Japan Society Award; became the inaugural automotive industry recipient of the Strategic Management Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award; honored with Spain’s Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.
• 2013: Appointed International Fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering.
• 2017: Commemorated with a collectible stamp issued by Lebanon’s LibanPost.

Further reading

• Japanese edition: "カルロス・ゴーン もたらした光と影".