Michael Kittredge was a well-known philanthropist, businessman, and entrepreneur. Yankee Candle was created by him in 1969. This company of his generated a revenue of $844.2 million USD in 2013. He started his successful adventure when he intended to give his mother a handcrafted candle, which was eventually purchased by one of his neighbors.
Quick Facts
| Full Real Name | Michael J. Kittredge II |
| Nickname | Michael |
| Name | Michael Kittredge |
| Age | 67 years old |
| Popular as | Yankee Candle Company founder |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Date of Birth | 1st February 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Holyoke, Massachusetts, USD |
| Education | Honorary doctorate in 2002 from the University of Massachusetts. |
| Alma Mater | Holyoke Community College The University of Massachusetts. |
| Net worth | $2 Billion US Dollars (approx.) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Languages | English |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches |
Michael Kittredge Age & Early Life
Michael Kittredge was born and reared in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, and his birthday has been confirmed by family members as February 1st, 1952. Michael once said that Holyoke Community College helped him with his schooling. In 1996, he spoke at Holyoke Community College’s graduation, saying that his high school counselor was the first person who encouraged him to turn his candle-making hobby into a company. He then credited Holyoke Community College for helping him to become the person that he was in a successful life.
Michael Kittredge said in his graduating address that Holyoke Community College has played an important part in his professional growth. He admits that his high school grades and his family’s financial situation would never allow him to finish his college education. But he was lucky in that HCC assisted and embraced him. Michael then earned his degree at Holyoke Community College. In 2002, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts.
Michael Kittredge Height & Weight
Michael Kittredge is 5 feet 9 inches tall. He weighs approximately 75 kg. He has lovely warm blue eyes and brown locks. There is no information on his chest-waist-hip measurements, dress size, shoe size, biceps, and so on.
Michael Kittredge’s Net Worth
How much is Michael Kittredge’s net worth? Michael Kittredge was a millionaire; a few months before his death, he raised $19 million USD through the auction of 400 pieces of his collection and art. He owned the $23 million mansion that his son is now selling. Aside from that, his Apple Orchard and a third 10-acre parcel with a guest house and a large home, both of which will be sold by his son, cost millions of dollars. Yankee Candle, Michael Kittredge’s company, pays him millions of dollars. And, according to our calculations, his net worth was nearly $2 billion USD.
Career
Michael Kittredge was a man who was always eager to give others what he didn’t have as a child. He began to have success with his Candle Company Yankee Candle Co after establishing it in 1969. In 1973, he opened a small retail shop in his hometown with the help of his father in an old Holyoke Paper mill, which had been abandoned since 1969.
In 1983, Michael Kittredge also opened a well-known flagship store in South Deerfield. Michael successfully sold 90% of the scented candle shares to a private New York equity firm for $500 million USD in 1998. After that, he took a long break from his business work and continued to travel to new places. He then developed cancer in his body but was able to overcome it.
Michael’s career path changed after he was diagnosed with cancer. He subsequently chose to become an ardent supporter of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, sitting on its board of directors for years. He contributed to the creation of the Kittredge Surgery Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College, the Kittredge Building at The Bement School in Deerfield, and other charitable endeavors. After establishing Kringle Candle Co. in 2010, he returned to work with his son. In 2012, he suffers a stroke, which makes movement and speech difficult.
Michael Kittredge Wife & Marriage
Who is Michael Kittredge’s wife? Michael Kittredge is said to have married three times in his life. However, only one of his wives names appears in the historical chapters of his life. His last wife’s name is Lisa Kittredge. He was the father of Michael J. “Mick” Kittredge III and his two daughters, Casey Jean and Kylie Madison. Michael Kittredge assisted his son in establishing a new separate company for him in 2010. In 2010 Michael launched Kringle Candle Co collaborating with his son. His son also runs the Farm Tale Restaurant in Bernardston.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education