Guy Laliberte was born on 2 September 1959, in the Canadian city of Quebec, of French descent, and is an entrepreneur, poker player and philanthropist, but undoubtedly most famous as the co-founder of the now world famous Cirque du Soleil.
So just how rich is Guy Laliberte? Guy’s net worth is currently estimated by authoritative sources at an impressive $2 billion, taking his place as the 11th richest Canadian and in the wealthiest 500 people in the world according to Forbes magazine. Much of Laliberte’s net worth is owed to the success of Cirque du Soleil, which has grown from a single circus troupe to an organization that spans five continents. Starting his career as a street performer and a member of a circus troupe, Guy Laliberte has come a long way since, receiving the highest civil honours from the governments of both his native province of Quebec and the Canadian Confederation, including the Order of Canada in 2004, as well as becoming one of the world’s first space tourists.
Guy Laliberte Net Worth $2 Billion
Guy Laliberte was been drawn to show business in childhood – after watching a performance by the “Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus”, he felt instantly drawn to the lifestyle, performing in several arts events at school and beginning his career as a street performer soon after graduation. He made his name through stilt-walking, fire-eating and playing the accordion, and it was not long until he was invited to join a professional troupe – “Les Echassiers”.
Guy Laliberte’s net worth was soon to take off when he founded Cirque du Soleil together with Gilles Ste-Croix. Initially only a small band of performers intending to work together for only a year, Cirque du Soleil extended its performances at the request of the government of Quebec. Regarding the company’s name – Circus of the Sun, – Laliberte has been quoted saying that he got the idea during a trip to Hawaii, to reflect his idea that the sun stands for youth and energy, and that the Cirque du Soleil should be defined by these two words. Guy Laliberte has personally participated in the creation of every Cirque du Soleil show since the circus was founded in 1984 – and his ideas have found considerable success, as the circus now boasts annual revenue approaching $1 billion.
Although Guy Laliberte owes most of his wealth to the incredible success of Cirque du Soleil, he can also claim to success as a professional poker player, having finished fourth in the April 2007 World Poker Tour Season Five event in Bellagio, Las Vegas – coming away with $696,220. He was the one to announce the biggest buy-in poker tournament in history, the “Big One for One Drop 2012”, won by professional poker player Antonio Esfandiari. A portion of the prize-pool, more than $5 million in total, went to Laliberte’s own charity, the One Drop Foundation.
In September 2009, Guy Laliberte became one of the world’s first space tourists, using the occasion to raise awareness about sensitive environmental issues and calling it a “poetic social mission” in space. He has been rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2007 was name Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
In his personal life, Guy Laliberte was in a 10-year relationship with Rizia Moreira(1990-2000), and now lives with his girlfriend Claudia Barilla and their two children.
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