Aldo Bensadoun
Canadian-Moroccan businessman and philanthropist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Albert "Aldo" Bensadoun (born 1939), is a Moroccan-Canadian businessman. He is the founder and executive chairman of Aldo, a retail shoe company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bensadoun's family foundation donated $25 million to McGill University to help found the Bensadoun School of Retail Management.[2]
1939 (age 86–87)
Aldo Bensadoun | |
|---|---|
| Born | Albert Bensadoun 1939 (age 86–87) Fez, Morocco |
| Alma mater | McGill University[1] |
| Known for | Founder of Aldo |
| Spouse | Dianne Bibeau |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
Aldo Bensadoun (Hebrew: אלדו בן סעדון) was born in Fez to a Moroccan Jewish family; his father was a shoe retailer in Fez, Morocco and France. Bensadoun moved to the United States for his post-secondary education. He attended Cornell University before relocating to Montreal and graduating from McGill University with a commerce degree in 1964.
Career
He worked at Yellow Shoes before founding the precursor to the Aldo Group in 1972 as a stand within the Le Château store in Montreal.[citation needed]
As of July 2020, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$1.1 billion.[3]
Honours
Bensadoun is a recipient of the Order of Canada.[4] He is a recipient of the National Order of Quebec,[5] and the Ordre de Montréal.
Personal life
Bensadoun has been married twice. His first wife was a Scottish Protestant;[6] they had two sons: David (born 1970) and Douglas (born 1973). His second wife is Dianne Bibeau;[7] they have a daughter, Daniela (born 1991).[7][8] His son David is the CEO of the Aldo Group [9] and is married to Isabelle Poirier.[10] Bensadoun lives in Montreal.[3]
In 2012, his son, David, along with Patrick Beaule were the first Canadian four wheel team to complete the Dakar Rally.[11][12]