Early Life
Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio was born in Rome, Italy, on April 30, 1953, into a family with a strong background in maritime law and industrial interests. His father, Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio, was a maritime lawyer, and his mother, Eugenia Beck, came from a German family. Manfredi was exposed to the family's business ventures from a young age. He attended Military Naval School Francesco Morosini in 1969 and later studied law at La Sapienza University in Rome but dropped out to pursue business ventures.
Rise to Success
Manfredi's career is closely associated with the cruise industry. In 1988, the family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, merging it with P&O's Princess Cruises unit in 1989. In 1994, his father, Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio, founded Silversea Cruises. Manfredi became Chairman of Silversea Cruises in 2001 and expanded the company, taking it to global prominence. He oversaw the growth of the Silversea fleet from three to nine vessels. In June 2018, he sold two-thirds of Silversea to Royal Caribbean for $1 billion, while retaining a one-third stake and then sold the remaining shares in 2020. Currently, he is the Executive Chairman of Heritage Group and A&K Travel Group, the travel conglomerate that owns Abercrombie & Kent.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy for Silversea Cruises under Manfredi's leadership was focusing on ultra-luxury experiences and all-inclusive pricing, including amenities and shore excursions. He also spearheaded the merger of the European Cruise Council (ECC) with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Manfredi has also focused on expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, as evidenced by the purchase of a significant stake in Abercrombie & Kent.
Philanthropy
Manfredi is involved in philanthropic endeavors, including support for the Fondazione Maruzza Lefebvre d'Ovidio onlus, named after his sister. He was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Culture and Philanthropy by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in January 2024 and acts as the Order's Permanent Observer to UNESCO. He also founded the Antonio Lefebvre Philanthropy foundation in 2024 to support humanitarian causes.