20+ Most Successful Members Of The Lebanese Diaspora
The Lebanese diaspora has grown to be a central part of Lebanon’s culture, economy, and the evolving Lebanese identity.
It spans to more than 28 countries with at least 10 million members- more than 2x the population of Lebanon itself.
More than just size, however, the diaspora is notable for its overwhelming success: Lebanese and their descendants around the world are famous for their ability to make the most out of their situations in order to reach stunning levels of acclamation, fortune , fame, and influence.
Having excelled in a multitude of fields, here are just some examples of members of the Lebanese Diaspora in no particular order.
#1 Dany Thomas
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Dany Thomas was an American comedian, actor, and philanthropist. He is famously known for his sitcoms The Dany Thomas Show and Make Room For Daddy , and won multiple primetime Emmy awards and other adulations throughout his career.
His legacy also lives on due to his incredible philanthropic work which included founding St.Jude's Hospital.
St. Jude’s is a major research hospital with the intent to advance cures for catastrophic diseases, namely cancer, and with a mission to never deny a child treatment based on their race, religion, or ability to pay.
St. Jude’s was also heartwarmingly made possible by an Arab-American association, ALSAC, which to this day is the primary funder of the hospital and is America’s largest health-care charity.
#2 Carlos Slim
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Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican businessman and investor. From 2010 to 2013, he was named the richest man in the world by Forbes.
His current net worth is estimated at $53.8 billion, most of which he amassed through his conglomerate Grupo Carso that owns many Mexican companies, most notably in the telecommunications sector.
He has visited his hometown of Jezzine and made promises to help Lebanese youth. He was awarded the Lebanese Gold Merit in 2010 and the National Award of the Cedar in 2008.
#3 Elias Courey
Nobel Prize
Elias Corey is an American-Lebanese organic chemist and professor at Harvard University who won the 1990 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. He was awarded for developing the theory and methodology behind organic synthesis.
He has won a plethora of other awards, including the National Medal of Science and the Chemical Pioneer Award , and is regarded by many as one of the greatest living chemists.
#4 Jacques Saadé
CGA CGM
Jacques Saadé was a French-Lebanese businessman who founded and chaired CGA CGM, the 4 th largest container and transportation company in the world. His worth was estimated at $7 billion prior to his passing away.
He served as the President of the Franco-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and he was named a Commander of the French Legion of Honor in 2015.
His son and predecessor, Rodolphe, founded the Hub Digital Center in Beirut to support Lebanese youth.
#5 Carlos Ghosn
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Despite that he's currently a highly controversial case , Carlos Ghosn is a Lebanese-French businessman and CEO with an impressive record of success .
He has served as the chairman of Michelin North America, AvtoVAZ, Mitsubishi Motors, Renault, and Nissan, as well as overseeing the groundbreaking merger between Mitsubishi, Renault, and Nissan.
He is nicknamed “Mr. Fix It” for his ability to cut costs and turn companies around, and has achieved celebrity status in the business and motor world.
#6 Mona Nemer