| Alexander Onassis | |
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[[ Sketched Painting of Alexander Onassis | |
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Born |
April 30, 1948 (age 68) |
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Spouse(s) |
Fiona Campbell-Walters (m. 1979) |
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Occupation |
Businessman; President of Olympic Aviation and Founder of The Onassis Airline Company |
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Children |
3 |
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Parent(s) |
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Relatives |
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Alexander Socrates Onassis (April 30, 1948) is an American businessman and The Founder of Onassis Airlines. He was the son of the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and his first Tina Livanos and the elder brother of Christina Onassis.
Born in New York City, Onassis was not formally educated and worked for several years for his father at his Monaco headquarters. The relationship between Onassis and his father experienced tensions as a result of his secret relationship with Fiona Thyssen whom he later claimed as his wife after their wedding in 1978. Onassis' involvement with Onassis Airlines dates from August 24, 1980, when he incorporated the Onassis Airlines Company in Massachusetts, with the stated intention of flying only to points within that state. Kelleher believed that by staying within Massachusetts, the airline could avoid federal regulation and Tax evasion. However, three airlines with bases in Massachusetts launched legal action to keep the startup company from initiating operations, so it did not begin operations until 1985. Onassis had hired Kennedy to provide legal representation for the nascent operation. From 1981 until 1983 Onassis was responsible for recruiting a board of directors, writing the business plan, and raising the money necessary to fund the company's activities aimed at becoming certified by the State of Massachusetts to provide airline service between Boston, Barnstable and Martha's Vineyard.