AirAsia is one of the most successful low-cost airlines in the world, operating in over 25 countries and serving more than 600 destinations. The man behind this remarkable achievement is Anthony Francis Fernandes, better known as Tony Fernandes, the CEO and co-founder of AirAsia Group. In this article, we will explore his salary, net worth, partner, age, family, personal life and bio in detail.
AirAsia CEO Salary and Net Worth
Tony Fernandes is one of the richest people in Malaysia, with a net worth of $335 million as of March 2020. His wealth comes mainly from his stake in AirAsia Group, which he acquired in 2001 for a symbolic price of one ringgit (about $0.24) along with his business partner Kamarudin Meranun. He also owns other businesses such as Tune Group, which includes Tune Hotels, Tune Money, Tune Talk and Tune Insurance.
According to Forbes, Fernandes earned $2.58 million in salary and bonus in 2019 as the CEO of AirAsia Group. However, he took a 75% pay cut in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. He also pledged to donate 10% of his salary to the AirAsia Foundation, a social enterprise that supports community development and environmental protection.
Read More : AirAsia Employees Salary, How to Apply, How Much Do They Make per month
Tony Fernandes Partner and Family
Tony Fernandes is married to Chloe Kim, a Korean-American who works as a marketing director at AirAsia. They tied the knot in 2019 in a private ceremony in France attended by close friends and family. The couple has a daughter named Aliyah Ena Fernandes, who was born in 2011.
Fernandes was previously married to Deborah Lee Bergstrom, a former model and actress from Sweden. They divorced in 2010 after 14 years of marriage. They have two children together: a son named Stephen Fernandes and a daughter named Stephanie Fernandes.
Fernandes was born in Kuala Lumpur on April 30, 1964, to a multicultural family. His father was an Indian physician who worked for the World Health Organization, while his mother was a Malaysian of mixed Portuguese and Malacca Eurasian descent who sold Tupperware products. He has two sisters: Anita Fernandes and Aireen Omar. Aireen is also an executive at AirAsia Group and serves as the president of RedBeat Ventures.
Tony Fernandes Personal Life and Bio
Fernandes grew up in Kuala Lumpur and attended The Alice Smith School for his primary education. He then moved to England and studied at Epsom College for his secondary education. He graduated with a degree in accounting from the London School of Economics in 1987.
Fernandes started his career as an auditor at Virgin Atlantic before joining Richard Branson’s Virgin Communications in London. He then moved to Warner Music International as a senior financial analyst and rose to become the vice president for Southeast Asia.
In 2001, Fernandes met with then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and expressed his interest in buying an existing airline. Mahathir advised him to acquire AirAsia, a struggling government-owned carrier that had $11 million in debt. Fernandes mortgaged his home and used his personal savings to buy AirAsia along with Kamarudin Meranun. He transformed the airline into a profitable venture by introducing low fares, online booking, no-frills service and aggressive expansion.
Fernandes is known for his charismatic leadership style and innovative approach to business. He is also passionate about sports and music. He is the co-owner of Queens Park Rangers Football Club in England and Caterham Formula One Team in Malaysia. He also launched Tune Studios, a recording studio that allows aspiring musicians to record their songs at affordable rates.
Fernandes has received many awards and honors for his achievements. He was named as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015 . He was also conferred the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his services to promote commercial and educational links between the UK and Malaysia. He holds honorary doctorates from several universities including Cranfield University, University of Malaya and University of Nottingham .
Conclusion
Tony Fernandes is an inspiring entrepreneur who turned a failing airline into a global success story. He is also a generous philanthropist who supports various causes such as education, health, environment and social justice. He is a role model for many aspiring business leaders and a proud Malaysian who has put his country on the world map.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How old is Tony Fernandes?
A: Tony Fernandes is 59 years old as of 2023.
Q: How much does Tony Fernandes make per year?
A: Tony Fernandes made $2.58 million in salary and bonus in 2019 as the CEO of AirAsia Group. He took a 75% pay cut in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: Who is Tony Fernandes’ partner?
A: Tony Fernandes’ partner is Chloe Kim, a Korean-American who works as a marketing director at AirAsia. They got married in 2019 and have a daughter named Aliyah Ena Fernandes.
Q: What is Tony Fernandes’ net worth in 2023?
A: Tony Fernandes’ net worth in 2023 is estimated to be $335 million, according to Forbes.
Q: What is Tony Fernandes’ educational background?
A: Tony Fernandes graduated with a degree in accounting from the London School of Economics in 1987. He also holds honorary doctorates from several universities.
Q: What are Tony Fernandes’ other businesses besides AirAsia?
A: Tony Fernandes owns Tune Group, which includes Tune Hotels, Tune Money, Tune Talk and Tune Insurance. He also co-owns Queens Park Rangers Football Club and Caterham Formula One Team. He also launched Tune Studios, a recording studio for aspiring musicians.
Q: What are Tony Fernandes’ hobbies and interests?
A: Tony Fernandes loves sports and music. He plays guitar and sings in a band called The Travelers. He also enjoys playing golf and tennis.
Q: What are some of the awards and honors that Tony Fernandes has received?
A: Tony Fernandes has been named as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world twice, in 2005 and 2015. He was also conferred the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011. He has also won many other awards such as the Asian Business Leader of the Year, the Brand Laureate Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Legacy Award.
Q: What are some of the challenges that Tony Fernandes has faced in his career?
A: Tony Fernandes has faced many challenges in his career, such as overcoming the debt and losses of AirAsia, competing with rival airlines, dealing with regulatory hurdles, coping with natural disasters and accidents, and surviving the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: What are some of the causes that Tony Fernandes supports through his philanthropy?
A: Tony Fernandes supports various causes such as education, health, environment and social justice through his philanthropy. He has donated to schools, hospitals, orphanages, wildlife sanctuaries and disaster relief funds. He also pledged to donate 10% of his salary to the AirAsia Foundation, a social enterprise that supports community development and environmental protection.