Athina (Nounou) Martinou, a pivotal figure in the modern Greek shipping industry and a global maritime icon, passed away on Friday at 97.
In 1926, she was born in Glyfada, an Athenian suburb on the city's southern coast. She began her professional career working at her father's law firm.
In 1971, she made the bold decision to enter the management of her family's shipping business (née Methenitis). Together with her sons, Thanasis, Dinos, and Andreas, she founded the renowned company Thenamaris Ships Management.
In 1990, Thanasis Martinos established Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, while the youngest son, Andreas, founded Minerva Maritime in 1998.
Today, Andreas Martinou Jr. leads Minerva, and Nikolas Martinos, son of Dinos, heads Thenamaris.
In a 2021 documentary about shipowners, Martinou shared her passion for shipping: "As a Cephalonian born in Glyfada, I was captivated by the ships passing by. I told my friends, 'We'll build barges too,' and we did. We were obsessed with it, and the entire family became involved in shipbuilding."
The funeral service will be held privately at 1 p.m. on Monday at the Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Vouliagmeni.
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