| Aldo Bensadoun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1939 (age 85–86) Fez, Morocco |
| Nationality | Canadian, Moroccan |
| Alma mater | McGill University |
| Known for | Founder of Aldo |
| Spouse | Dianne Bibeau |
| Children | 3 |
Albert "Aldo" Bensadoun (born 1939), is a Canadian-Moroccan businessman. He is the founder and executive chairman of Aldo, a retail shoe company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bensadoun's family foundation donated $25 million to McGill University to help found the Bensadoun School of Retail Management.
Early life
Aldo Bensadoun (Hebrew: אלדו בן סעדון) was born in Fez to a Moroccan Jewish family; his father was a shoe retailer in Fez, Morocco and France. Bensadoun moved to the United States for his post-secondary education. He attended Cornell University before relocating to Montreal and graduating from McGill University with a commerce degree in 1964.
Career
He worked at Yellow Shoes before founding the precursor to the Aldo Group in 1972 as a stand within the Le Château store in Montreal.
As of July 2020, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$1.1 billion.
Honours
Bensadoun is a recipient of the Order of Canada. He is a recipient of the National Order of Quebec, and the Ordre de Montréal.
Personal life
Bensadoun has been married twice. His first wife was a Scottish Protestant; they had two sons: David (born 1970) and Douglas (born 1973). His second wife is Dianne Bibeau; they have a daughter, Daniela (born 1991). His son David is the CEO of the Aldo Group and is married to Isabelle Poirier. Bensadoun lives in Montreal.
In 2012, his son, David, along with Patrick Beaule were the first Canadian four wheel team to complete the Dakar Rally.
References
- "Aldo Bensadoun". Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015.
- "McGill University Opens Bensadoun School of Retail Management". The Business of Fashion. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ "Forbes profile: Aldo Bensadoun". Forbes. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor (21 September 2017). "Order of Canada". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- "Aldo's global footprint". The Globe and Mail.
- Mills, David (February 2014). Zero to Sixty. p. 113. ISBN 9781483408446.
- ^ L'Actualite: "Aldo : l’homme qui vous fait marcher" by Kathy Noël 18 novembre 2012 | "La seconde épouse du fondateur, Dianne Bibeau – de 17 ans sa cadette -, travaille aussi dans l'entreprise. De même que les deux fils d'Aldo?: David, 42 ans, et Douglas, 39 ans. La petite dernière, Daniela, 21 ans..."
- Footwear News: "How ‘Mr. B’ Has Built Aldo Into a Global Shoe Powerhouse" By Katie Abel November 29, 2016
- La Presse: "Aldo Bensadoun: le génie du detail" by Jean-Philippe Décarie 11 février 2012
- Vancouver Sun: "Friendly-Streets-Gallery" by Phil Carpenter September 17, 2009
- The Globe and Mail: "Five things about the only Canadian car entry at Dakar" by Philippe DeVos December 27, 2011
- Wheels Canada: "David Bensadoun, Patrick Beaule become first Canadians to finish Dakar Rally on four wheels" by Lawrence Hacking January 19, 2012