Origins & Early Life

Guy Laliberté (French pronunciation: [ɡi lalibɛʁte]; born 2 September 1959) is a Québécois billionaire businessman and poker player. Along with Gilles Ste-Croix, he is the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, which was founded in 1984. The Canadian circus company's shows have since been seen by more than 90 million people worldwide. Before founding the company, he had busked, performing as an accordion player, stiltwalker, and fire-eater.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 2006, he was named the Ernst & Young Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2007, he was named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year. In January 2018, Laliberté was ranked by Forbes as the 11th-wealthiest Canadian. Laliberté was born in 1959 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. His interest in show business began when his parents took him to watch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, an experience which led him to read the biography of P.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

T. Barnum. While he was still in school, he produced several performing arts events. After school, Laliberté left Canada to hitchhike around Europe at the age of 18. While travelling, he made money by playing the accordion. He also learned fire-eating and stilt-walking during his time...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist, celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
• Allison Janney — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Acclaimed American actress known for roles in The West Wing and Masters of Sex.
• Anil Kapoor — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Veteran Indian actor and film producer known for his work in Hindi cinema.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Shared historical date (09-02 · Born) (1953): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Ahuitzotl — Shared historical date (09-02 · Died) (1502): Eighth Aztec ruler and Huey Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, key to Aztec expansion.
• Ante Pavelić — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Apsley Cherry-Garrard — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): English polar explorer renowned for his Antarctic accounts and survival narratives.
• AB de Villiers — Historical peer (Born in 1984) (1984): Iconic South African cricketer, celebrated for his all-around batting genius.
• Alfred Kastler — Historical peer (Died in 1984) (1984): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
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