Statue of Aristotle Onasis in Lefkada

The statue of Aristotle Onassis in Nydri, Lefkada: Right on the port of Nidri, there is a statue dedicated to Aristotle Onassis, the famous Greek businessman that is considered in one of the wealthiest men in the world ever. His statue faces Skorpios, his private island where his grave also lies. The residents of Nidri loved Onasis a lot, as he was frequently coming with a boat from Skoprios to Nydri to take a walk or eat in the local taverns.

Aristotle Onassis was born in 1906 in Smyrna, modern Turkey, by Greek parents. In 1923, he went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and there he started making his fortune from tobacco trade, oil trade, and shipping. Gradually, he was established as an independent ship owner in the field of oil tankers. In 1946, Onasis got married to Athina Livanou, a wealthy woman, and had two children, Alexander and Christina. In 1963, Onasis bought from the Greek State the tiny island of Skorpios, just opposite Nidri, Lefkada, and made it his summer resort. In 1960, the couple divorced.

While he was married, Onassis met opera diva Maria Callas. They were both married and had a passionate relationship that lasted for many years. Rumors even say that Callas had given birth to their son who died a few hours after he was born. Their relationship ended in 1968 when Onassis betrayed her and got married to Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of US President John Kennedy, in his private island, Skorpios.

Three years later, Alexander, his beloved son, died in an air crash. This devastated Aristotle and never managed to recover. He died in Paris in 1975 of Myasthenia gravis and was buried in Skorpios, next to the grave of his son.