Leandro Rizzuto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BornApril 10, 1938
New York City, US
DiedDecember 3, 2017 (aged 79)
EducationSt. John's University (dropped out)
OccupationBusinessman
Leandro Rizzuto | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 10, 1938 New York City, US |
| Died | December 3, 2017 (aged 79) |
| Education | St. John's University (dropped out) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse |
Rita Rizzuto (divorced) |
| Children | 4, including Leandro Jr. |
Leandro P. "Lee" Rizzuto (April 10, 1938 – December 3, 2017) was an American billionaire businessman, and the chairman and co-founder of Conair Corporation, which was almost fully owned by him.
He was born in Brooklyn,[1] the son of Julian and Josephine Rizzuto.[2] His father was born Nicola in Italy, but later changed his name to Julian although Josephine's New York Times 1983 obituary refers to him as Nicola.[3][4]
Leandro had two sisters, Anita Casamento of Brooklyn and Pauline Navarra of Phoenix.[4]
In 1959, Rizzuto dropped out of St. John's University to assist his family in setting up a hair products business in the basement of their Brooklyn home; this would later become Conair.[5][2]