Frederick W. Smith, the founder and former CEO of FedEx, has passed away at the age of 80. FedEx confirmed his death on Saturday.
Smith was known for changing the way goods are delivered worldwide. He came up with the idea of overnight delivery—a concept that helped build FedEx into one of the most famous logistics companies in the world.
FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam shared the sad news in a message to employees. “Fred was more than a founder—he was the heart and soul of FedEx,” he wrote. “His values, ideas, and leadership shaped everything we are today.”
Smith’s idea for FedEx came from a paper he wrote while studying at Yale University in 1965. He suggested a new delivery system for urgent packages—something most people didn’t believe could work at the time.
FedEx started in 1973 and faced many challenges in its early years. But under Smith’s leadership, the company grew rapidly and made fast air delivery possible, especially for urgent items like electronics and machine parts. Before this, such deliveries were slow and relied on passenger planes.
Smith led the company for many years, helping it grow into a global business that employs hundreds of thousands of people. He also built strong ties with U.S. political leaders and supported free trade policies that helped FedEx succeed.
Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, Smith had a tough childhood. After losing his father, he was raised in Memphis and dealt with a hip condition but still became a high school athlete. From a young age, he was interested in both flying and business. At 15, he co-founded a record label and later studied economics and aviation at Yale.
Jim Barksdale, a former top FedEx executive, once said, “He is the most impressive executive I have ever met.”
Smith’s passing marks the end of an era. FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam said the company will find ways to honor Smith’s memory and celebrate the powerful legacy he leaves behind.
