Early Life
Cristina Stuart Paine was born in London in August 1949. Her father was a wine merchant, which led to her spending her childhood in Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand. She did not complete her formal education and described herself as "trained in nothing". At 17, she met Robert "Bobby" Palos, a South African jazz drummer, in Hong Kong. They married a year later and opened a fashion boutique in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Rise to Success
After moving her fashion boutique to London, she became known for her driven and successful approach. She married Philip Green in 1990, which marked the beginning of her deep involvement in the textile industry. In 2004, Taveta Investments, where she was a director, acquired the Arcadia Group. The acquisition of Arcadia Group cost £770 million.
Key Business Strategies
Cristina Green's key business strategies included acquiring the Arcadia Group, a major retail empire, and designing store layouts. She also co-founded the interior design firm Green & Mingarelli with Pietro Mingarelli. In 2005, she received a £1.2 billion dividend from Arcadia, a record in British corporate history.
Philanthropy
While specific figures for Cristina Green's direct philanthropic contributions were not found, it is known that she has been involved in philanthropic efforts. She has served as treasurer to Princess Charlene of Monaco's private charitable foundation.