Michael O'Leary
Born 1961 · Age 64
Irish businessman, Group CEO of Ryanair, known for pioneering a low-cost airline model and for outspoken public commentary.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland
Michael Kevin O'Leary was born to Gerarda and Timothy 'Ted' O'Leary and grew up near Mullingar, County Westmeath.
Grew up near Mullingar
Raised near Mullingar in County Westmeath; family background includes father part-owner of a textile factory.
Attended Clongowes Wood College (secondary education)
Educated at Clongowes Wood College, a Jesuit boarding school near Clane, County Kildare.
Graduated Trinity College Dublin
Graduated in business and economics (Economic and Social Studies) from Trinity College Dublin.
Joined Stokes Kennedy Crowley (later KPMG) as a trainee/tax consultant
Worked as a trainee with Stokes Kennedy Crowley where he studied the Irish tax system and met Tony Ryan.
Left KPMG and set up newsagents
Left Stokes Kennedy Crowley after around two years and established profitable newsagent businesses in Terenure and Walkinstown, Dublin.
Hired by Tony Ryan as personal financial & tax advisor
Tony Ryan (Guinness Peat Aviation) hired O'Leary to advise on personal finances and tax; Ryan was instrumental in Ryanair's ownership/strategy.
Appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Deputy Chief Executive at Ryanair
Became CFO of Ryanair and joined the airline's leadership as it was evolving after Tony Ryan's involvement.
Served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ryanair
Promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer (reported by company profiles and press summaries).
Appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ryanair
Became CEO of Ryanair, leading the airline's aggressive low-cost, ancillary-revenue-based strategy.
Ryanair surpasses Aer Lingus & BA on London-Dublin route
By 1995 Ryanair had become market leader on the London–Dublin route, a year after O'Leary became CEO.
Named director of Ryanair Holdings
Became a director of Ryanair Holdings (reported as July 1996 appointment).
Established Gigginstown House Stud and engaged in horse breeding
O'Leary breeds Aberdeen Angus cattle and racehorses at Gigginstown House Stud, producing multiple major-race winners.
Described Ryanair's ancillary revenue model publicly
In interviews (2001) O'Leary articulated strategy to reduce fares and increase non-ticket revenue from shopping, car hire, hotels and on-board sales.
Ryanair carried over 1 million passengers in a month for first time
August 2001 milestone: Ryanair carried in excess of one million passengers in a single month.
Publicly opposed long-haul transatlantic services (statement)
In 2002 O'Leary publicly argued the low-cost model did not suit long-haul flights and rejected transatlantic plans—later contradicted by subsequent interest in US flights.
Ordered to pay damages over reneged 'free flights' prize
Court ordered Ryanair to pay damages after reneging on an offer of free flights to a millionth customer.
Purchased taxi license plate for Mercedes (O'Leary Cabs)
Bought a taxi plate and registered his Mercedes-Benz as a taxi to use Dublin bus lanes; later employed a driver with PSV licence.
Turned down opportunity to buy stake in Manchester City F.C.
Was reportedly offered the chance to buy a stake in Manchester City in 2003 but declined, preferring to remain a fan and attend matches.
Married Anita Farrell
Married Anita Farrell in Delvin, County Westmeath; the couple have four children and live at Gigginstown House.
Ryanair ferried more passengers than British Airways' international network (reported)
By 2005 Ryanair carried more passengers around Europe than British Airways managed across its international network (company growth milestone).
Irish transport minister criticised taxi plate abuse
2005: Irish transport minister expressed concern about misuse of taxi plates (linked publicly to O'Leary and others).
Profiled widely in national and international media
By mid-2000s O'Leary had developed a reputation for outspokenness and controversial PR stunts, attracting sustained media attention.
War of Attrition (O'Leary-owned) won Cheltenham Gold Cup
O'Leary's horse War of Attrition won the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup (Cheltenham Gold Cup date referenced).
Accused of impersonating journalist (reported)
Reports surfaced that O'Leary impersonated a journalist in an attempt to obtain information after a Ryanair safety incident (date reported in press).
Ryanair retracted CO2 emissions claim
In January 2007 O'Leary was forced to retract a claim that Ryanair had cut total CO2 emissions by half over five years — the accurate claim was per-passenger emissions.
Said he thought scientific consensus on human-caused warming was 'horseshit'
In a 2010 interview with the Irish Independent he dismissed the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change (quote reported).
Criticised airspace closure over Icelandic volcanic ash
Reacted to April 2010 European airspace closure over Icelandic ash, controversially downplaying ash cloud risks; later studies suggested risk of structural damage to aircraft.
Criticised by a judge for lying (court rebuke)
In March 2010 a judge criticised O'Leary for lying and said he was fortunate not to have been found in contempt of court.
Made court apology to union official
In May 2010 O'Leary issued a court apology to a union official following legal pressure.
Unveiled new Ryanair destinations from Manchester, wore Manchester City shirt
On announcing 26 routes from Manchester Airport (July 2011) O'Leary appeared in a Manchester City shirt as a sign of support.
Ryanair: €4.3bn revenue and 79.3m passengers (2012)
Ryanair reported €4.3 billion revenue and carried 79.3 million passengers in 2012 (figures cited by profiles).
Ryanair described as Europe's only 'ultra-low cost carrier' with record traffic
2013 full-year results: Ryanair claimed market leadership with 79.3m traffic, 1,611 routes from 57 bases and a 29th consecutive year of growth.
Announced intention to launch cheap US-Europe flights if conditions met
Despite earlier comments, in 2013 he said at industry events Ryanair wanted to fly to the US for as low as €10 given enough twin-aisle aircraft and airport slots.
Expressed desire to fly US-Europe for €10 at Paris Air Show
At the 2013 Paris Air Show O'Leary said he aimed to sell very cheap transatlantic fares (as low as €10) if Ryanair secured appropriate aircraft and airport access.
Criticised Aer Lingus cabin crew strike
In May 2014 O'Leary (major Ryanair shareholder in Aer Lingus context) criticised a 24-hour Aer Lingus strike that resulted in 200 flights cancelled for 200,000 travellers.
Invited to attend Bilderberg Meeting (2015)
Participants reported O'Leary was invited to the 2015 Bilderberg meeting (a high-profile private conference of leaders).
Reported invitation to elite conferences and industry forums
Beyond Bilderberg, O'Leary became a regular invitee and speaker at major aviation and business conferences (World Low Cost Airlines Congress etc.).
Revealed he turned down offer to star in The Apprentice
In February 2015 O'Leary claimed he was offered the starring role in The Apprentice (UK) but turned it down for family reasons.
Don Cossack (O'Leary-owned) won Cheltenham Gold Cup / Rule the World won Grand National
O'Leary-owned horses continued top-level success: Don Cossack won the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2016) and Rule the World won the 2016 Grand National.
Attended Bilderberg Meeting (2017)
Reported attendee at the secretive Bilderberg meeting in 2017.
Described climate change as 'complete and utter rubbish' in press
Publicly dismissed climate change in April 2017 (widely reported quote), though his stance later softened.
Tiger Roll won Grand National (2018)
O'Leary's horse Tiger Roll won the 2018 Grand National (part of his notable racing successes).
Estimated net worth reported at approx. $1.1 billion
Forbes (June 2018) estimated Michael O'Leary's net worth around $1.1 billion, ranking him among Ireland's wealthiest.
Tiger Roll won Grand National (2019)
Tiger Roll became a back-to-back Grand National winner (2018 and 2019), continuing O'Leary's success in horse racing.
Controversial comments about airport security and obese passengers
In February 2020 O'Leary suggested airport security focus on single Muslim men and called obese passengers 'monsters'—widely reported controversy.
Softened public stance on climate change
By April 2021 O'Leary publicly acknowledged climate change as an issue customers and employees want addressed and said Ryanair was responsive.
Spoke out against Hungarian 'extra profit tax' and insulted ministers
After Hungary introduced an extra profit tax in June 2022, Ryanair passed the tax cost to passengers and O'Leary publicly insulted ministers, later widely reported.
Defended Afrikaans language test for South African travellers; withdrew comments
In June 2022 O'Leary defended yet later withdrew comments regarding Ryanair's Afrikaans language test for South African nationals after criticism.
Father Timothy 'Ted' O'Leary passed away (reported)
Press reported the death of Michael O'Leary's father (age reported in press); family detail often cited in profiles.
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