Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca – “To Protect and Serve” an Evening of Entertainment and Inspiration – Arrivals – Century Plaza Hotel – Beverly Hills, CA, USA, 2002 – Photo Credit: Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos 

Birth Name: Lido Anthony Iacocca

Date of Birth: October 15, 1924

Place of Birth: Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Death: July 2, 2019

Place of Death: Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Italian

Lee Iacocca was an American automobile executive. He was President and CEO of Chrysler, from 1978, and chairman, from 1979, both until 1992.

Lee was the son of Italian parents, Antonietta/Antonetta (Perrotta) and Nicola Iacocca, from San Marco dei Cavoti, Province of Benevento, Campania. They operated a restaurant, Yocco’s Hot Dogs. His father immigrated to U.S. at twelve years old. Nineteen years later, he returned to his hometown in Italy and married Lee’s mother, a local woman. Lee’s relatives operated the Yocco’s Hot Dogs restaurants.

Lee was married to Mary McCleary, until her death. The couple had two children.

Lee’s paternal grandmother was named Rose.

Lee’s maternal grandparents were named Giuseppe Perrotta and Assunta.

In his 2007 book Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, Lee described how he considered running for President of the United States in 1988.

Sources: Genealogy of Lee Iacocca (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.wargs.com

Obituary of Lee’s mother – https://www.findagrave.com

Information about Provincia di Benevento’s honorary degree to Lee Iacocca – http://app1.provincia.benevento.it