Minos Kyriakou
Minos "Minas" Kyriakou | |
|---|---|
| Born | Minos Xenophon Kyriakou Template:Birth date Poros, Greece |
| Died | 2 July 2017 (aged 75) Athens, Greece |
| Alma mater | Columbia University |
| Occupation(s) | Owner, ANT1 Group Chairman, Euroholdings Capital & Investment Corp Owner, Athenian Sea Carriers Ltd Owner, Bacoil International and Athenian Oil Trading Inc President, Aegean Foundation |
| Years active | 1975–2017 |
| Spouse | Mari Konstantatou (divorced) |
| Children | Xenophon Theodore Athina |
Minos Xenophon "Minas" Kyriakou (, ; 31 May 1942 – 2 July 2017) was a prominent Greek entrepreneur in the media and shipping sectors. He served as president of both the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Academy (IOA) from 2004 to 2009. In August 2003, he secured a position on the council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Early life
Born to Xenophon Kyriacou and Athina Revidies, Kyriakou received his education across France and Switzerland before obtaining a bachelor's degree from Columbia University.
Career
Kyriakou was the founder and proprietor of ANT1 Group, which operates ANT1, among Greece’s pioneering private TV stations. Additionally, he owned the Greek multi-sport organization Panellinios GS along with its basketball division, Panellinios BC.
His dedication to sports culminated in his appointment as president of the Greek Olympic Committee after the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, a position he maintained until 2009.
Legal issues
Kyriakou possessed four acres in Athens that contravened Areos Park regulations; some facilities belonging to Panellinios Athens were constructed unlawfully on land managed by both Athens Municipality and Athens Prefecture. In February 2007, he was sentenced to a suspended prison term of 48 months and fined €15,000 for unauthorized development of a cottage in San Aimilianos, Porto Heli, which included a harbor violating coastal laws. He appealed this verdict and was required to provide €100,000 as financial security while awaiting trial.
Personal life
In December 2004, Kyriakou wed Greek actress Mari Konstantatou (born 1971), though they divorced in March 2017. From his first marriage, he had two sons—Xenophon and Theodore—and a daughter named Athina.
Kyriakou was multilingual, fluent in Greek, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, and Russian. His accolades comprised the Golden Cross of the Legion of Honor (Poland), Golden Cross of the Order of St. George, Golden Medal of Honor (Cyprus), Golden Star of Honor (Singapore), and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor (Poland).
He passed away due to a heart attack on 2 July 2017 at Athens Medical Center. Having been divorced twice, he left behind three children from his first marriage.