Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca was a prominent American businessman and automobile industry executive, widely known for his role in the turnaround of the Chrysler Corporation during the 1980s. Born on October 15, 1924, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Iacocca’s influence on the automotive world and his leadership in business have made him a legendary figure in American corporate history.

Iacocca began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he became known for his innovative thinking and leadership. He is perhaps most famous for being the man behind the design and marketing of the Ford Mustang in 1964, a car that became an iconic symbol of American culture. However, despite his success at Ford, Iacocca was fired by the company in 1978, which led him to join Chrysler.

At Chrysler, Iacocca is credited with saving the company from bankruptcy in the 1980s by negotiating a government bailout and restructuring the company. Under his leadership, Chrysler introduced a number of successful models, including the minivan, which revolutionized the automotive market. He was known for his direct communication style, and his commercials, where he appeared personally to endorse Chrysler vehicles, became a hallmark of his leadership.

Iacocca's autobiography, Iacocca: An Autobiography, published in 1984, became a bestseller and further solidified his reputation as one of the most influential business figures in America. In addition to his business achievements, Iacocca was involved in philanthropy and served as a prominent advocate for various causes.

Iacocca passed away on July 2, 2019, but his legacy as a transformative business leader continues to influence both the automotive industry and corporate America as a whole.