Lego vice president and friend of the Queen of Denmark crashes in the Alps
16 April 08:35
Michael Halby, vice president of Lego’s parent company Kirkbi and a member of the board of The Mary Foundation, was vacationing at the exclusive resort of Verbier in the Swiss Alps when he crashed on a difficult slope. This is reported by Komersant ukrainskyi with reference to a statement by Kirkbi, the parent company of Lego.
michael Gelby, a 64-year-old Danish financier, was taken to the hospital by helicopter after the terrible accident, but he died of internal bleeding.
For many years, he was the deputy chairman of Kirkbi, an investment company that manages the multimillion-dollar fortune of the Lego family and controls the global toy empire.
“Our thoughts and care go out to Michael’s family and friends as they deal with the unexpected loss of a man who made a lasting and positive impression on others in all areas of life. We will miss Michael as a vice president, but above all as a person. May his memory be honored,” said Christiansen.
He was also a longtime friend and confidant of Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark and was often seen at numerous royal events and family celebrations.
The Queen has already expressed her condolences, saying that Halby’s death is a “great personal loss.”
“I was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Michael Halby. He was a man of rare positive energy, great knowledge and strong commitment,” the Queen said in a statement published on her foundation’s website.
“He was also my friend and will be missed by many. My thoughts are with his family and close friends,” she added.
He had been on the board of directors of the Queen Mary Foundation since its founding in 2007. The organization, which works to combat bullying and mental health, said Halby played a “central role” in making the Mary Foundation what it is today.
The friendship between the Danish king and the financier began when Frederik was crown prince and had just been introduced to the Danish business community.
