Sidney Frank

Sidney E. Frank (born October 2, 1919) is an American liquor distributor who became a billionaire through his savvy promotion of Grey Goose vodka and Jägermeister.

Related Topics:
October 2 - 1919 - Liquor - Billionaire - Grey Goose - Vodka - Jägermeister

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Born in Montville, Connecticut, he was the son of Abraham and Sarah Frank. Sidney grew up in Norwich, Connecticut and was graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1937. He attended Brown University (but did not graduate) and worked for Pratt and Whitney during World War II fixing aircraft engines in the South Pacific.

Related Topics:
Montville, Connecticut - Norwich, Connecticut - Norwich Free Academy - 1937 - Brown University - Pratt and Whitney - World War II

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His first wife, Louise Rosenstiel, was the daughter of Lewis Rosenstiel, the founder of a distiller and importer of spirits, Schenley Industries. Frank joined Schenely after his marriage and rose to the company presidency but was forced out in a family dispute in 1970.

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In 1972, the year his wife died, he started his own company, Sidney Frank Importing Company and (as of 2005) serves as chairman and chief executive officer. The company is based in New Rochelle, New York, where Frank lives part of the year. (He also has a home in Rancho Santa Fe, California.)

Related Topics:
1972 - As of 2005 - New Rochelle, New York - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Frank's first big success with his own company was with Jacques Cardin brandy, a brand he purchased from Seagram in 1979. In the 1980s, he obtained rights to Jagermeister and promoted it heavily, turning a specialty brand into a mainstream success. He introduced Grey Goose vodka, made in France, in 1997 and was so successful in promoting it, he sold the brand to Bacardi for $2 billion in June 2004. Frank proceded to give large bonuses to his employees and made a $120 million donation to Brown University. Forbes Magazine ranked him the 185th richest man in America in its Forbes 400 list.

Related Topics:
Jacques Cardin - Seagram - 1979 - 1980s - 1997 - Bacardi - 2004 - Brown University

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