Michael O'Leary (businessman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael O'Leary
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O'Leary in April 2015
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| Born |
Michael Kevin O'Leary
20 March 1961 Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland
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| Education | Clongowes Wood College |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | CEO of Ryanair |
| Spouse(s) |
Anita Farrell
(m. 2003) |
| Children | 4 |
Michael Kevin O'Leary was born on March 20, 1961. He is an Irish businessman. He is best known as the boss, or Group CEO, of Ryanair. Ryanair is a very popular airline. As of 2018, he was one of Ireland's richest businesspeople.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael O'Leary was born in Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland. This was on March 20, 1961. He was the second child of Gerarda and Timothy O'Leary. He grew up near Mullingar, in County Westmeath. His father helped own a textile factory.
Michael went to school at Clongowes Wood College. This school is near Clane, County Kildare. After that, he studied business and economics. He went to Trinity College Dublin. He finished college in 1982.
First Jobs and Business
After college, Michael worked as a trainee. He was with a company called Stokes Kennedy Crowley. This company later became KPMG. He learned about the Irish tax system there.
He left after two years in 1985. Then, he started his own businesses. He opened successful newsagents. These were shops that sold newspapers and magazines. They were in the Terenure and Walkinstown areas of Dublin.
While working at Stokes Kennedy Crowley, Michael met Tony Ryan. Tony Ryan was the head of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA). This was a company that leased airplanes. Michael helped Tony Ryan with his personal taxes. In 1988, Tony Ryan hired Michael. He became Tony's personal financial advisor.
Leading Ryanair
Michael O'Leary became the chief financial officer of Ryanair in 1988. This means he was in charge of the company's money. In 1994, he became the chief executive officer. This made him the main boss of Ryanair.
Ryanair's Low-Cost Model
Under Michael O'Leary, Ryanair grew a lot. It used a "low-cost" way of doing business. This idea came from Southwest Airlines. Michael wanted to make flights very cheap. He once said, "The other airlines are asking how they can put up fares. We are asking how we could get rid of them."
Ryanair makes money in other ways too. They earn money from things like shopping on the plane. They also get money from car rentals and hotel bookings. These are called "ancillary revenues." This helps keep ticket prices low.
Ryanair also saves money by working with airports. They get discounts on landing fees. Some smaller airports even let them land for free. This is because the flights bring many passengers. These passengers then spend money in the local area.
Personal Life
Michael O'Leary married Anita Farrell. They got married on September 5, 2003. Their wedding was in Delvin, County Westmeath. They have four children together. They live in a place called Gigginstown House. It is also near Delvin, County Westmeath.
Horses and Sports
Michael O'Leary loves horses. He breeds Aberdeen Angus cattle and horses. He does this at his farm, Gigginstown House Stud. His horses have won many big races. Some famous ones are War of Attrition, Don Cossack, Rule the World, and Tiger Roll. These horses have won races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National. Tiger Roll won the Grand National twice, in 2018 and 2019!
Michael also supports the English football team Manchester City F.C.. He has been a fan since he was young. In 2011, he even wore a Manchester City shirt. He did this when he announced new Ryanair flights to Manchester Airport.
In 2015, Michael O'Leary said he was offered a role on a TV show. It was the reality TV show The Apprentice. But he turned it down. He said it was for family reasons. The role then went to Alan Sugar.
