Stavros George Livanos (
Greek: Σταύρος Λιβανός; 1891– May 28, 1963), was a
Greek shipowner, native of
Chios, and the founder of the Livanos shipping empire. He was also a rival as well as father-in-law to billionaire Greek shipping tycoons
Aristotle Onassis and
Stavros Niarchos.
Early life
Livanos was born on Chios, then part of the Ottoman Empire, a third-generation sailor.[1] The third of four sons of
steamship owner George Livanos, he turned the outbreak of the
First World War into opportunities.[1] Even during the postwar demise of the shipping boom, Livanos managed to stay on top by investing only with cash instead of credit.[1] He was notoriously tight with his money, a claim that the late Stavros Niarchos remembered as accurate.[1][2] Confirming his reputation for high cash-investment in his ships, Livanos once said, "I have no money. I have ships."[3]
Marriage and descendants
In 1924, he married Arietta Zafirakis (1909–1986) and had three children.[1]
George Stavros Livanos (born 1934), married Lita Voivoda in 1966, in London.
Marina Livanos, married Andreas Martinos, heir to the ship management company Thenamaris.
Andreas-Ioannis Martinos
Stavros Livanos.
Aritta Livanos, married Giorgios Vardinoyannis.
Eugenie Livanos, married Nicholas Clive-Worms, heir to the
Banque Worms fortune.
Christina Livanos
The Livanos family lived in London most of the time. It was in London during the First World War that Livanos built the foundation of his empire. Yet they also had a lavish villa, known as Bella Vista, on Chios.[1]