Athens, Greece – Greek billionaire Vardis Vardinoyannis, the iconic Greek shipping magnate, has passed away at the age of 91. A leading figure in the Greek economy, Vardinoyannis headed the Vardinoyannis Group, a sprawling conglomerate with interests in shipping, energy, and other sectors.
Born 4th December 1933 in 1933 in Episkopi Rethymno, Crete, Vardinoyannis was the fifth of eight children born to Ioannis Vardinoyannis and Chrysi Theodoulaki. His siblings included Pavlos (1925-1984), Amalia (1927-2016), Sifis (1929-2002), Nikos (1931-1973), George (1936), Theodoros (1942-1996), and Eleni (1946).
Graduating from the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1955, Vardinoyannis followed a career as an officer in the then Royal Hellenic Navy, like his brother Nikos. He was forcibly discharged in July 1967, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, by the Greek military junta due to his resistance activities and exiled to Amorgos.
Involved in the anti-junta movement within the Navy, Vardinoyannis helped secure supplies for ships in the event of an uprising. Following the premature death of his brother Nikos in 1972, he took over the family businesses, transforming them into the powerful Vardinoyannis Group.
Vardinogiannis was the chairman and controlling shareholder of Motor Oil Hellas, Vegas Oil and Gas..
He is survived by five children. His wife, Marianna Vardinogiannis, a prominent philanthropist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador passed away in July 2023.
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
