Frederick Smith died: American businessman, investor, founder, and chairman of FedEx Corporation, Frederick Smith, died on June 21, 2025, at the age of 80 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
He was known as one of the most successful transportation entrepreneurs in the world. His net worth was estimated at $4.8 billion as of April 2025.
His full name was Frederick Wallace Smith, born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, U.S.
His father was James Frederick “Fred” Smith, who was the founder of the Toddle House restaurant chain and the Smith Motor Coach Company (renamed the Dixie Greyhound Lines).
He completed his elementary education at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis and attended high school at Memphis University School. He was an amateur pilot as a teen.
He attended Yale University to pursue economics in 1962.
After completing his graduation, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, from 1966 to 1969, as a platoon leader and a forward air controller (FAC) in South Vietnam, flying in the back seat of the OV-10. He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, attained the rank of captain, and received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.
In 1970, he purchased an aircraft maintenance company, Ark Aviation Sales, with a controlling interest. In 1971, he founded Federal Express.
He had ten children, including Windland Smith Rice, a photographer; Molly Smith, a film producer; and Arthur Smith, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach and current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator.
He was married twice. His first wife was Linda Black Grisham, whom he married in 1969 and separated from in 1977. His second wife was Diane Smith, whom he married in 2006.
Raj Subramaniam, FedEx’s current CEO, said:
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share that Frederick W. Smith, our founder and executive chairman, died earlier today.… He was the heart and soul of FedEx … a proud father, grandfather, husband, Marine, and friend; please keep the entire Smith family in your thoughts and prayers.”
