Albert "Aldo" Bensadoun (born 1939), is a Canadian billionaire 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.[2]
Aldo Bensadoun | |
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Born | 1939 (age 84–85) Fez, Morocco |
Nationality | Canadian, Moroccan |
Alma mater | McGill University[1] |
Known for | Founder of Aldo |
Spouse | Dianne Bibeau |
Children | 3 |
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.
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.
Bensadoun is a recipient of the Order of Canada.[3] He is a recipient of the National Order of Quebec,[4] and the Ordre de Montréal.
Bensadoun has been married twice. His first wife was a Scottish Protestant;[5] they had two sons: David (born 1970) and Douglas (born 1973). His second wife is Dianne Bibeau;[6] they have a daughter, Daniela (born 1991).[6][7] His son David is the CEO of the Aldo Group [8] and is married to Isabelle Poirier.[9]
In 2012, his son, David, along with Patrick Beaule were the first Canadian four wheel team to complete the Dakar Rally.[10][11]