Who is Leonard Riggio?
Leonard Riggio was a giant in the field of retail. He is best recognized as the founder of Barnes & Noble, the United States’ largest bookstore chain. Born on February 28, 1941, to this world in Manhattan’s Little Italy, Riggio’s early life was marked by academic excellence and a deep-seated love for books. At 16, he graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School having skipped ahead two grades, and began nightly classes at New York University. Yet, college bookstore jobs proved to be his real schooling and a deep love of retail was instilled in him.
Riggio’s entrepreneurial spirit saw him acquire Barnes & Noble in 1971, growing it from a single store based in Manhattan to a chain across America. He further exerted his influence on Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, MBS Textbook Exchange, and GameStop. He is only matched in the retail industry by the philanthropic works that he carries out and his activism in social causes.
Leonard Riggio Career
Leonard Riggio enjoyed a career of milestones. With the purchase of Barnes & Noble, he transformed the firm into a retail powerhouse, setting new standards for booksellers nationwide. His groundbreaking spirit helped alter the notion of the bookstore from the simple retailer to the community for which people would go to relax, read, and share.
He also co-founded Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, a top campus bookstore operator, and MBS Textbook Exchange, a top textbook distributor. Within the video game sector, he started GameStop, which became a big player in gaming retail.
Smooth sailing for Riggio it was not, however. After the start of the 2010s, Barnes & Noble sputtered along, burning through several chief executives and watching its stock plummet in value. His influence within the industry proper could not be denied, and he remained an integral figure in retail until he retired as chairman in 2019.
Leonard Riggio’s Net Worth 2024
As of August 27, 2024, Leonard Riggio has a net worth of approximately 142 million dollars. This depicts the big stake he holds in Barnes & Noble and GameStop. Riggio owns approximately 14,052,132 shares of Barnes & Noble valued at over 91 million dollars and about 2,472,096 shares of GameStop valued at about 51 million dollars. An indicator this awesome portfolio is a surefire way to show just how influential he has been able to remain in the business world.
Leonard Riggio Age
At the time of his passing, Leonard Riggio was 83 years old. His advanced age reflected a lifetime replete with great achievements and success, as well as extensive support for several philanthropic causes.
Leonard Riggio Family: Wife and Children
Leonard Riggio is survived by his wife, Louise of 43 years, and their three daughters: Lisa Rollo (Christopher) of Jupiter, FL; Donna Cortese (Steven) of Oyster Bay, NY, and Stephanie Bulger (Michael) of Bridgehampton, NY. He is also survived by his brother Stephen (Laura) of NYC, along with four grandsons, and other extended family members. Riggio’s family was the central part of his life, personally and professionally.
Leonard Riggio Height and Weight
Leonard Riggio Height and Weight Although accurate details about Leonard Riggio’s height and weight are not recorded, his height in the business world was undeniably larger than life. Boasting a commanding presence and a razor-sharp brain, Riggio’s physical attributes took a cue from his larger-than-life influence on retail and philanthropy.
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