From Refugee to the Richest: The Incredible Journey of Aristotle Onassis
Aristotle Onassis is a name synonymous with wealth, glamour, and boundless ambition. Yet, behind his grand persona as one of the wealthiest and most influential shipping magnates lies a tale of survival, resilience, and strategic vision. Born in 1906 in the thriving Greek community of Smyrna, now known as Izmir in modern-day Turkey, Onassis grew up in a privileged family of entrepreneurs. His father was a successful businessman, and Aristotle was exposed early to the workings of commerce and enterprise. However, the world he knew was on the brink of collapse as the tides of history shifted. In the wake of the First World War, Turkey’s geopolitical landscape changed rapidly, especially as tensions rose between Greece and Turkey. This was a time of intense conflict and nationalist sentiments, leading to the Greco-Turkish War, which spanned from 1919 to 1922. For many Greeks living in Asia Minor, including Onassis’s family, this era brought tragedy and upheaval.