Guy Laliberté, OC CQ (born September 2, 1959) is a Canadian businessman, investor, poker player, and musician. With an estimated net worth of US$1.3 billion (as of June 2016), Laliberté was ranked by Forbes as the 11th wealthiest Canadian and 459th in the world.
Following an announcement from the Cirque du Soleil on April 20, 2015 concerning a change in ownership, Laliberté will maintain a stake in the business and will continue to provide strategic and creative input to the company.
Starting out busking as an accordion player, stiltwalker and fire-eater, in 1984 Laliberté founded Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian circus company whose shows have since been seen by more than 90 million people worldwide. In 2006, Laliberté was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Early years
Laliberté was born in 1959 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. His interest in show business began at a relatively young age. His parents took him to watch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, an experience which led Laliberté to read the biography of P. T. Barnum. While he was still in school, Guy produced several performing arts events. After school, he entered the world of street performance, playing the harmonica and accordion on the streets of Quebec. Laliberté joined a performing troupe called Les Échassiers, which included fire-breathers, jugglers, and acrobats who hitched around the country from show to show. He later returned to Quebec, where he attempted to keep a steady full-time job at a hydroelectric dam. However, soon after his employment began, the company’s employees went on strike. Laliberté took the opportunity to return to his life as a street performer.
In 1980, he ran as a Rhinoceros Party candidate for the electoral district of Charlevoix in the 1980 federal election.
Summary
| Guy Laliberté | |
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Laliberté at the $25,000 World Poker Tour No Limit Hold’em Championship
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| Born | September 2, 1959 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Founder of Cirque du Soleil |
| Net worth |  $1.3 billion (June 2016) |
| Spouse(s) | Rizia Moreira (ex de facto spouse) |
| Partner(s) | Claudia Barilla (girlfriend) |
| Children | 5 |
Guy Laliberté net worth: Guy Laliberte is a Canadian circus performer and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $1.8 billion. Guy Laliberte was born in Quebec, Canada on September 2, 1959. He is best known for being a French Canadian entrepreneur, poker player, space tourist, and is currently the CEO of Cirque Du Soleil. At a young age he became an accomplished accordionist, fire-eater, and stilt-walker, and founded Quebec’s first internationally owned circus with a small group of friends. He first created Cirque Du Soleil in 1984, after recognizing the talents of his local neighbors. Since then, he has helped guide the creative team through every aspect of the show. He now heads an organization with activities on five continents. In April 2007 Laliberte finished fourth in the World Poker Tour Season 5 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and won $669, 220. He also participated in the Game Show Network’s High Stakes Poker season 4. In October of 2007 Laliberte announced the official launch of the “One Drop Foundation”. In September of 2009 Laliberte became the first Canadian to privately explore space. His mission was dedicated to raising awareness of earth’s water issues. He was broadcast to 14 cities on 5 continents, including the International Space Station. Laliberte is romantically involved with Claudia Barilla, and they have two children together.
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