Guy Laliberté
Guy Laliberté | |
---|---|
Rhinoceros (1980) | |
Spouse | Rizia Moreira (ex de facto spouse) Claudia Barilla (ex-girlfriend) |
Children | 5 |
Nickname(s) | Ahtata (Full Tilt Poker) |
World Poker Tour | |
Title(s) | None |
Final table(s) | 1 |
Money finish(es) | 2 |
Space career | |
Space Adventures tourist | |
Time in space | 10d 21h 17m |
Missions | Soyuz TMA-16 / TMA-14 |
Guy Laliberté,
In 2006, he was named the Ernst & Young Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year.[3][4] In 2007, he was named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year. In January 2018, Laliberté was ranked by Forbes as the 11th wealthiest Canadian.[5]
Early years
Laliberté was born in 1959
After school, Laliberté left Canada to hitchhike around Europe at the age of 18. While travelling, he made money by playing the accordion. He also learned
In 1980, he ran as a
Career
Cirque du Soleil
Laliberté co-founded Cirque du Soleil in 1984 with Gilles Ste-Croix and a small group of colleagues. The group obtained the support of a government grant for the celebration of the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's discovery of Canada.[11] Cirque du Soleil was originally set up as a one-year project. However, the government of Quebec wanted a touring event that would perform in other provinces. The name 'Cirque du Soleil' ("circus of the sun"), which Laliberté came up with while he was in Hawaii, reflects his notion that "the sun stands for energy and youth" and that the circus is about those two words.[11]
Cirque du Soleil now has activities on five continents.[6] Its shows employ approximately 4,000 people from over 40 countries and generate an estimated annual revenue exceeding US$810 million.[12][13]
In 2015 he sold 90% of his stock in the company.[14] On 17 February 2020, he sold the remaining 10% to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.[15][14]
Poker career
Laliberté started playing super high stakes online cash games and live tournaments for recreation around 2006. In April 2007, he finished fourth in the
In 2011 Laliberté announced the Big One, a US$1 million buy-in tournament which was featured at the 2012 World Series of Poker. Part of the prize money was donated to Laliberté's philanthropic organization One Drop Foundation, which primary goal is to provide clean drinking water and hygiene products around the globe.[17] 48 players participated in the tournament and Antonio Esfandiari won the $18,346,673 first-place prize. The tournament raised $5,333,328 for the One Drop foundation.[18]
Laliberté has lost the most money on online poker cash games. Over his six accounts, noataima, patatino, lady marmelade, elmariachimacho, Esvedra and Zypherin, Laliberté has lost approximately
Spaceflight
In September 2009, Laliberté became the first Canadian space tourist. He launched on the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft and landed in the Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft. His spaceflight was dedicated to raising awareness on water issues facing humankind. The event was accompanied by a 120-minute webcast program featuring various artistic performances in 14 cities on five continents, including the International Space Station.[6]
In May 2020, Canada's
In June 2011, Laliberté published a book, entitled Gaia, containing photos of Earth from his space flight. Proceeds from his book were to go to the One Drop Foundation.[21]
Atoll of Nukutepipi
In 2007, Laliberté became the owner of the
On 13 November 2019, following his arrest for cannabis cultivation, Laliberté's investment firm Lune Rouge stated that "Laliberté is being questioned in respect of cultivation of cannabis for his personal use only at the residence on the island of Nukutepipi" in Tahiti.[23][24]
Awards and honours
In 1997, Laliberté received the National Order of Quebec, the highest distinction awarded by the Government of Quebec.[6]
In 2001, he was named a
In 2006, Laliberté won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for all three levels: Quebec, Canada and international.[26] In 2007, he was named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
Personal life
Laliberté's son Kami is a racing driver competing in the European junior formulae.[28] He recorded one race victory in F4 but has no record of racing after 2017.[29] His daughter Naïma is a competitive dressage rider.[30]
References
- ^ "Laliberté, Guy". Voyage à travers le Québec (in French). 5 October 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ "Guy Laliberté". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca (in French). Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ Ernst & Young, 2006 EOY National Recipient Archived 8 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Frank, Steven (26 April 2004). "Guy Laliberte Revolution Under the Big Top". Time. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007.
- ^ "The World's Billionaires". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Biography Guy Laliberté". Cirque du Soleil. Archived from the original on 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b Guy Laliberte: The Fabulous Life of the Creator of Cirque du Soleil
- ^ a b "The Circus Kid: Guy Laliberté Is Born". Evancarmichael.com.
- ^ Jag (2 September 1959). "Guy Laliberte Biography – Guy Laliberte Bio". Celebs101.com. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ Rakobowchuk, Peter (18 August 2015). "Rhino Party promises to nationalize Tim Hortons, move capital to Kapuskasing". Toronto Star. Canadian Press. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ a b Cirque du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun
- ^ Collins, Glenn (29 April 2009). "Run Away to the Circus? No need. It's Staying Here". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Official Cirque du Soleil Website". Cirquedusoleil.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Founder Guy Laliberté sells remaining Cirque du Soleil shares". CBC.ca. The Canadian Press. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Brendan (17 March 2020). Coronavirus: Cirque du Soleil lays off more than half its staff. Peace River Record Gazette.
- ^ "Guy Laliberté's Life: Biggest Profits, Losses and Net Worth". Somuchpoker. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ "WSOP to host $1m tournament". Poker Player. 1 June 2011.
- ^ Wise, Gary (1 July 2012). "The Big One For One Drop is here". ESPN.com. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Pete (10 April 2018). "Guy Laliberte: The Man Who Lost $31Million Playing Poker". HighstakesDB. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ Appeal(Canada), Federal Court of (10 September 2013). "Decisions". decisions.fca-caf.gc.ca.
- ^ Moskowitz, Clara (28 June 2011). "Earth's Beauty From Space: Q&A With 'Space Clown' Guy Laliberte". Space.com. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- Journal de Montréal(in French).
- ^ Rouge, Lune. "Official Statement - Guy Laliberté". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "Cirque du Soleil founder arrested in Tahiti for cannabis". CBC. Agence France-Presse. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "The 2004 TIME 100". TIME.com. 26 April 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Ernst & Young 2006 EOY National Recipient Archived 8 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Diamond, Robert (22 November 2010). "Guy Laliberte Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame". Broadway World. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ^ "Driver Highlights". SnapLap. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ^ "Canada's Golden Girls". Fédération Équestre Internationale. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.