| Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen | |
| President of The Lego Group | |
| Term: | 1979 – 2004 |
| Predecessor: | Vagn Holck Andersen[1] |
| Successor: | Jørgen Vig Knudstorp |
| Birth Date: | 27 December 1947 |
| Birth Place: | Billund, Denmark |
| Spouse: | Camilla Kristiansen |
| Father: | Godtfred Kirk Christiansen |
| Relations: | Ole Kirk Christiansen (grandfather) |
| Known For: | Former CEO and deputy chairman of The LEGO Group |
| Occupation: | Businessperson |
| Alma Mater: | Aarhus University (BA) IMD Business School (MBA) |
Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (in Danish pronounced as /ˈkʰelˀ ˈkʰiɐ̯k kʰʁeˈstjænˀsn̩/; born 27 December 1947) is a Danish businessman who was the president and CEO of The Lego Group from 1979 to 2004. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Kristiansen is the third richest Dane, with a net worth of billion as of April 2024.[2] He is the grandson of Lego founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
Kristiansen was born 27 December 1947 in Billund, Denmark. His father, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, worked with his grandfather, Ole Kirk Christiansen, in the family business: Lego. As a child, he often inspired and tested new model concepts and their building instructions.[3] He also appeared on many of the company's packages and marketing materials.[3]
Kristiansen graduated with a bachelor's degree from Aarhus University. In 1972, he received a MBA from the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland.[2] [4]
In 1979, Kristiansen became president and CEO of The Lego Group. He introduced themes, minifigures, LEGO.com, Lego Mindstorms and licensed properties.[3] In 2004, he stepped down as president and CEO to focus on his role as owner of the Lego Group and vice-chairman of the board, while maintaining his role as chairman of the board of KIRKBI A/S, Lego Holding A/S and the Lego Foundation.[3] Lego is privately held and is controlled by the Kristiansen family and their foundations.
Kristiansen and his wife, Camilla, live in Denmark and have three children: Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Sofie Kirk Kristiansen, and Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, a Danish Olympic dressage rider.[5]
In 1995, Kristiansen bought Strathconon Estate, in the highlands of Scotland, covering . He later bought the neighbouring Scardroy and Ledgowan estates.[6] [7]
He has received many awards in his professional career.