The Greek billionaire oil and shipping businessman, Vardis Vardinogiannis, who left his mark on the economic and social life of the country passed away yesterday, November 12.
Vardinogiannis and his relatives have spread their net worldwide with the control of numerous successful companies in a variety of sectors. The interests include petroleum, shipping, banking, media, and others.
Vardinogiannis marked an entire era with his business activity and his public presence.
Under his leadership, the family expanded its business into a wide range of activities, always having as its flagship the Motor Oil in Corinth, Greece. Motor Oil is a Greek, multinational energy group of more than 100 companies, founded in 1972.
Gradually, Vardinogiannis and his relatives expanded, among other sectors, into the shipping, banking as well as into the media.
Recently his wife Marianna Vardinogianni, an Unesco Goodwill Ambassador and active in many charities, passed away at the age of 80 in Athens.
She was married to Greek shipping magnate Vardis Vardinogiannis, who was the chairman and controlling shareholder of Motor Oil Hellas, Vegas Oil and Gas and he was also involved in numerous other shipping and business interests.
Vardinogiannis was included in Lloyd’s List’s Most Influential People in Shipping and was also included in Forbes List.
The Motor Oil Group and its employees issued a statement, which reads as follows: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that today, November 12, 2024, Vardis I. Vardinogiannis left us.
“The Motor Oil family is saddened to say goodbye to their President.
“For more than 5 decades with generosity and boldness he offered with unparalleled consistency to the business world of the country, he offered to the thousands of employees of the company.
“His contribution leaves an imprint of immense value on Motor Oil Group employees and society. His values are what continue to be a compass for the company’s course.”
The Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) also issued yesterday a statement regarding the death of Vardinogiannis.
“The business world of the country is poorer since the loss of Vardis Vardinogiannis who left an indelible mark on the economic and social reality of the country. One of the greatest personalities of Greek business, he leaves a legacy of a multifaceted work, an aspect of which was the implicit contribution to society as a whole. He always stood by the children of ELPIDA, with great sensitivity and generosity, together with his late wife Marianna Vardinogianni. Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
The death of the well-known businessman was also confirmed by an official statement made by the Marianna Vardi Vardinogianni Foundation.
“It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to the great Greek, great patriot and national benefactor Vardi I. Vardinogianni.
“Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, husband of our Founder Marianna V. Vardinogiannis, has always been a visionary who never stopped offering to the country, to his fellow men and to anyone in need. We will be eternally grateful.”
