AKBAR LADJEVARDIAN
05/23/1923 - 03/13/2023
Mr. Akbar Ladjevardian, an industrialist, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2023 two months shy of his 100th birthday while surrounded by his loved ones.
Akbar Ladjevardian was born in 1923 in Kashan,
Iran. Tragically, he lost his mother at the age of twelve, which strengthened the bond between him and his father. From his father, Akbar learned the importance of hard work, frugality, perseverance, and family values – principles which would shape his character and guide him throughout his life. At the age of twenty-four, he left Kashan for Tehran, determined to make a name for himself and leave a positive impact on the world.
He began his career in commodity trading and was successful from the start. Eventually, he, his older brother, and his nephews formed the Behshahr Industrial Group. In the ensuing decades, the Behshahr Industrial Group expanded into various sectors, becoming the largest private employer (without any government ownership) in Iran prior to the Islamic revolution of 1979. With around 24,000 employees and 52 subsidiaries, the group was active in a wide range of industries, including soaps, detergents, vegetable oil, banking, insurance, knitting, carpets, velvet manufacturing, and many other textile companies.
In the mid-1970s, Akbar questioned why Iran should sell only oil to the world. He thought why not also produce the value-added products derived from oil. Thus, he formed a joint venture with DuPont Corp. by the name of the Polyacryl Iran Corporation in order to produce polyester and other synthetic fibers. The venture was the most significant private investment project in the Middle East at the time. Unfortunately, before Akbar was able to see the fruits of his labor and vision, the Islamic revolutionary regime nationalized all his and his family’s assets in 1979 without any compensation.
Following an assassination attempt on his nephew and business partner coupled with the nationalization of his companies, Akbar made the difficult decision to leave Iran. However, the government blocked his exit, so he escaped on horseback through the mountains and eventually reached Turkey before arriving in the United States.
Despite losing around 97% of his net worth, Akbar refused to dwell on the past and remained grateful for his family, health, and mind. With his sons and sons-in-law, he started anew in real estate activities and later diversified into manufacturing, eventually co-founding the largest manufacturer of PVC vertical blinds in the U.S.
Although Akbar achieved tremendous success, he remained humble and never boasted about his accomplishments. He taught invaluable lessons to his children, teaching them to look to those above you when it comes to hard work and to people below you when it comes to living a modest life. He was also generous with his money, time, and advice, never turning down those in need. Above all, he focused on creating jobs – his legacy was not in his personal wealth, but in the opportunities he created for others. After all, he believed that it’s always better to teach people how to fish than to give them one.
Akbar is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Mahin; his daughter Mahnaz Ansari; his daughter Lily Kooros and spouse Hamid Kooros; his son Mohammad Ladjevardian; his son Masoud Ladjevardian and spouse Sima Ladjevardian; his son Reza Ladjevardian. His eight beloved grandchildren, Tina Ansari-Cotton and spouse Troy Cotton; Ali Ansari and spouse Niousha Ansari; Tania Kooros and spouse Evert Wamsteker; Yasmin Kooros; Leila Ladjevardian and spouse Marwan Zakhem; Tara Ladjevardian and spouse Judson Keel; Atissa Ladjevardian; Dara Ladjevardian. His great-grandchildren, Natalia and Alec Cotton, Aryana and Darya Wamsteker, Ella and Lili Ansari, and Reda Zakhem.
The family gathered for a private burial ceremony on Thursday March 16th. A celebration of his life will be held at the Houston Country Club on Sunday, March 26th from 5:00-8:00 pm with remarks beginning at 5:45 pm. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contribution in Akbar’s name be directed to the Society of Iranian-American Women for Education (2323 S. Voss Rd, Ste. 315A Houston, TX 77057) or to the charity of one’s choice. For more information about his life, please go to 110 Years: The Creation and Expansion of the Behshahr Industrial Group (Ladjevardi and Ladjevardian)