Legendary FedEx Founder Frederick W. Smith Dies at 80

FedEx Corporation has announced the death of their visionary Founder, Executive Chairman, and long-time Chairman and CEO, Frederick Wallace Smith at age 80.  Mr. Smith died of natural causes on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Memphis Tennessee.

Frederick W. Smith, the Founder, Executive Chairman, and long-time Chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, was an innovative leader whose legacy will be felt for generations to come. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of FedEx in April 2023, FedEx released a portrait series collaboration with photographer Annie Leibovitz to spotlight and elevate its small business customers and honor its founder – Courtesy FedEx

On Sunday (June 22, 2025), FedEx Corporation announced the passing of their visionary Founder, Executive Chairman, and long-time Chairman and CEO, Frederick W. Smith.  Mr. Smith died of natural causes in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at age 80.  A legendary aviation entrepreneur, his legacy will be felt for generations to come, and his death marks the end of an era for the global transportation and logistics industry, an industry which he founded and revolutionized through his innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Speaking on Mr. Smith’s passing, FedEx’ President & CEO, Raj Subramaniam, said,

“Frederick W. Smith pioneered express delivery and connected the world, shaping global commerce as we know it. His legacy of innovation, leadership, and philanthropy will continue to inspire future generations. I will miss not only his visionary leadership, but his trusted friendship and counsel.”

Frederick W. Smith was born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi and was the son of a successful entrepreneur and businessman, Frederick C. Smith.  The senior Smith had founded Dixie Greyhound Bus Lines as well as the Toddle House Restaurant chain.  Fred Smith attended Memphis University Prep and by the age of 15 had become a skilled pilot.  A natural entrepreneur, he began his first business venture with his friends, starting a small recording studio called the Ardent record company.

Leaving Memphis in 1962, Smith moved to New Haven Connecticut in order to pursue an economics degree at Yale University.  While at Yale, Smith flew as a charter pilot at the Tweed New Haven Airport where he learned from other pilots the difficulty IBM and Xerox were having keeping their parts and logistics systems operating.  Many of these pilots were flying parts around in order to supply field engineers on a timely basis.  In 1965 as a Yale undergraduate, Smith set out to solve the issue of providing time sensitive parts overnight by writing an economics paper outlining the nascent 'Federal Express' concept. 

Fred Smith (second from right) served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his military service. He left the Marine Corps in 1970 as a Captain – Courtesy FedEx

In 1966, Smith received a B.A. in economics from Yale before entering the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), which included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as a rifle platoon leader, a company commander, and aerial observer/tactical air controller in the OV-10A.  He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his military service.  In 1970 he left the Marine Corps as a Captain, and would often joke that he received his ‘business degree’ from the USMC.

After serving two terms in the USMC, in 1971 Smith purchased controlling interest in a Little Rock Arkansas firm called Arkansas Aviation Sales.  While there, he realized how difficult it was to get time-sensitive freight delivered in one or two days, and with the concept previously outlined in his term paper, he set out to found Federal Express.  After raising $80 million from private equity, family and friends, Smith moved the company to Memphis and began operations on April 17, 1973.  On the very first night, with a team of 389 associates and a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets, FedEx flew into U.S. aviation and business history by delivering 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities overnight. 

Fred Smith launched Federal Express in 1973 with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets and a vision to transform the shipping industry. That first night, Federal Express delivered 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities - Courtesy FedEx

Under Mr. Smith’s leadership as President and CEO, FedEx grew from a small startup into a multinational corporation that redefined global commerce.  Today, FedEx is the world’s largest express transportation company and is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most admired companies.  Currently, the company employs over 500,000 team members globally, connecting more than 220 countries and territories, and moving nearly $2 trillion in goods annually, with over 17 million shipments daily.  In 2022, after serving as one of the longest-tenured Presidents and CEOs of a Fortune 100 company, Mr. Smith stepped aside to become Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation.  

Source: FedEx