Early Life
Micky Arison was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 29, 1949. He is the son of Ted Arison, who co-founded Carnival Cruise Line. Arison moved to the United States as a child and attended the University of Miami, though he did not complete his degree. He has a sister, Shari Arison.
Rise to Success
Arison began his career at Carnival Cruise Line in 1972, starting in sales. He quickly advanced, becoming the reservations manager in 1974 and vice president of passenger traffic in 1976. He was named President of the company in 1979. Under his leadership, Carnival grew into the world's largest cruise operator. He served as CEO until 2013, when he stepped down and remained Chairman of the Board. He acquired majority ownership of the Miami Heat in 1995.
Key Business Strategies
Arison focused on expanding Carnival through acquisitions and new ship construction. He acquired Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Cunard Line, and Costa Cruises. He also invested heavily in marketing and attracting younger travelers, which helped Carnival to become the industry leader.
Philanthropy
Arison and his wife, Madeleine, support philanthropy through the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, focusing on education, health, and Jewish causes. They pledged $1 million for relief efforts related to damages caused by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.