Home » Primark Founder Dies: Arthur Ryan Biography, Wiki, Age, Family, Net Worth, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
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Primark Founder Dies: Arthur Ryan Biography, Wiki, Age, Family, Net Worth, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

July 9, 2019
4 Min Read

Arthur Ryan Biography

Arthur St. John Ryan was an Irish businessman who was the founder, chairman, and chief executive of Primark. The company Primark trades under the name of Penneys in the Republic of Ireland.

Arthur Ryan Age

He was 84 years old.

Arthur Ryan Wiki, Education

Arthur Ryan was born the son of a Cork-born insurance clerk in 1935 and went to the Synge Street CBS in Dublin after moving to the city with his family. After emigrating to London, he entered the genteel world of gentlemen’s tailoring as a tie buyer at Swan & Edgar.

Arthur Ryan Wife

He was married to his wife Alma Carroll since 1978.

Arthur Ryan Early Career

He also worked for London fashion wholesaler Carr & McDonald. From there, he returned to Dublin and a job at Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt.

Arthur Ryan Business career

Ryan opened the first Penneys shop on Mary Street in Dublin in 1962. Subsequently, in 1974, he took the model to Britain – renaming the stores Primark to avoid legal problems with US chain JC Penney. The major turnaround came in 2005, when Primark acquired a huge portfolio of Littlewoods stores. Meanwhile, close attention to catwalk trends made it chic as well as cheap. It went from being the “shop that nobody admitted going to” to a Mecca for celebrity shoppers. It now accounts for over a third of ABF’s operating profits. In 2009, Ryan gave up his day-to-day control of the firm as chief executive but became chairman instead.

Arthur Ryan Wife, Children, Personal Life

Ryan was married to the former entertainer Alma Carroll and they had a daughter, Jess Ryan; Ryan additionally had four children from a previous marriage. He was an intensely private man, living in one of Dublin’s best-protected houses, he never gave interviews and was rarely seen in public without bodyguards. His great fear was kidnap – a real enough threat for Irish retail magnates during the Troubles. In 1981, the IRA snatched department store boss Ben Dunne; two years later, they tried to kidnap Galen Weston, scion of the Canadian family behind Primark’s owner, food and retail conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF). Ryan took no chances. “His daily schedule is kept a secret from all but his closest aides.” 

Arthur Ryan Son Death

Ryan’s son, Barry, who was 51, died while attempting to save his son and his son’s girlfriend from drowning during a freak accident on 30 June 2015. Barry’s son and his girlfriend also died during the rescue bid.

Arthur Ryan Death

Primark founder and chairman Arthur Ryan has died after a short illness, the budget fashion chain has announced.
His death is the latest tragedy to hit the family after his son Barry, 51, died along grandson Barry Davis Ryan, 20, and his girlfriend Niamh O’Connor, 20, after being swept out to sea.

The horror unfolded in 2015 after they were hit by a freak wave in Cork.
Ryan later paid tribute to his brave son, who had jumped in the sea in a doomed attempt to save Barry and Niamh.
He said in an emotional eulogy: “You are my hero.
“We love you, Barry, and miss you and you will always be in our hearts.”

Arthur Ryan Cause of Death

Arthur Ryan’s died after a short illness. The illness was not disclosed.

Arthur Ryan Net Worth

Primark, the fashion retailer Arthur Ryan founded is part of the UK listed company Associated British Foods (ABF). It has 370 stores in 12 countries and annual revenues of more than €8 billion.

Arthur Ryan Nationality

He was of Irish nationality.

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