Co-founder of the iconic Greek dairy company FAGE, Kyriakos Filippou, passed away on Monday evening, at the age of 82.
The cause of death was not released.
Greek Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis was among those who sent condolences to the family.
“Kyriakos and Giannis Filippou took over their father’s dairy shop in Patisia, central Athens, and turned into an international company with presence in 44 countries,” Kathimerini reported, adding that “as of 2012, the company is headquartered in Luxembourg.”
FAGE began producing dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheeses and ice cream in 1922 on Patission Street in Athens.
Filippou was the first Greek person to find a way to make yogurt have a longer shelf life.
FAGE released a statement on the death of its longtime president:
Kyriakos Filippou passed away yesterday.
A pioneer, and a visionary who changed the food industry in Greece and brought the name of FAGE to the world. A scientist, a just employer, a generous, eternal explorer of the best, he leaves behind a legacy of business ethics.
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