Early Life
Guy Laliberté was born on September 2, 1959, in Quebec City, Canada. His interest in performing arts began at a young age. He hitchhiked across Europe at 18 and worked as a street performer. He learned fire-eating and stilt-walking.
Rise to Success
In 1984, Laliberté co-founded Cirque du Soleil with Gilles Ste-Croix. The company was initially funded by the Quebec government. The first show was performed in Quebec. Cirque du Soleil's shows have since been seen by over 90 million people worldwide. In 2006, he was named Ernst & Young Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year. He was named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2007. He sold his remaining 10% stake in Cirque du Soleil in February 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Laliberté's vision involved combining circus entertainment with the artistry of acrobatic performance. He expanded Cirque du Soleil to include resident shows in Las Vegas and other locations. He also focused on unique, theme-based performances without animal acts.
Philanthropy
In 2007, Laliberté founded the One Drop Foundation to provide clean water access globally. In 2009, he became the first Canadian space tourist, which he dedicated to raising awareness on water issues.