Fred Smith (FedEx Founder) Biography: Age, Real Name, Education, Career, Parents, Religion, Children, Wife, Nationality, Net Worth, Death

Fred Smith (full name: Frederick Wallace Smith) was born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, USA. He passed away on June 21, 2025, at the age of 80 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a famous American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Fred Smith was best known for starting FedEx, the world’s biggest delivery and transportation company.

Fred Smith father, James F. Smith, owned businesses like the Toddle House restaurant chain and Smith Motor Coach Company, which later became part of Greyhound. Sadly, Fred’s father died when Fred was only four years old. He was raised by his mother, Sally Wallace, and his uncles. As a young child, Fred Smith had a bone disease that made it hard for him to move, but he got better by age 10.

Fred Smith went to school in Memphis, first at Presbyterian Day School and then at Memphis University School. As a teenager, he became interested in flying and learned how to be a pilot.

In 1962, Fred Smith went to Yale University, where he studied economics. While at Yale, he joined a fraternity called Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) and a secret group called Skull and Bones. He became friends with future U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in economics. During college, Fred Smith once wrote a paper about the idea of overnight delivery, which later became the foundation for FedEx.

After college, Fred Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and earned honors like the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his bravery.

In 1970, he bought a company called Ark Aviation Sales and changed its focus to selling used airplanes. In 1971, he used his $4 million inheritance to start Federal Express, which later became FedEx. He also raised an additional $91 million from investors. Fred Smith vision turned FedEx into a global success.

Fred Smith served as FedEx's CEO for many years before stepping down in June 2022. He remained chairman of the company, while Raj Subramaniam became the new CEO.

Fred Smith was married twice. His first wife was Linda Black Grisham, and his second wife was Diane Smith. He had ten children, including:

• Windland Smith Rice, a photographer

• Molly Smith, a movie producer

• Arthur Smith, a football coach (now offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Richard W. Smith, an executive at FedEx

As of April 2025, Fred Smith had a net worth of $4.8 billion. He was widely known as one of the most successful business leaders in the world of transportation.

Parents

Fred Smith father was James Frederick Smith, a businessman who started the Toddle House restaurant chain and Smith Motor Coach Company, later known as Dixie Greyhound Lines. Fred Smith mother was Sally Wallace. His father died when Fred was only 4 years old, so he was raised by his mother and uncles.

Religion

Fred Smith exact religion is not widely known, but he was raised in the Southern United States, where many people follow Christian beliefs.

Children

Fred Smith had 10 children. Some of them include:

> Windland Smith Rice – a photographer

> Molly Smith – a film producer

> Arthur Smith – a football coach (offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers)

> Richard W. Smith – an executive at FedEx

Wife

Fred Smith was married twice:

> First to Linda Black Grisham in 1969 (they divorced in 1977)

> Later to Diane Smith in 2006

Nationality

Fred Smith was American.

Ethnicity

Fred Smith was of White/Caucasian ethnicity.

Net Worth

As of April 2025, Fred Smith net worth was estimated at $4.8 billion.

Death

Fred Smith died on June 21, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 80.

FAQs 

1. What was Fred Smith real name?

- Fred Smith full name was Frederick Wallace Smith.

2. How old was Fred Smith when he died?

- Fred Smith was 80 years old when he died on June 21, 2025.

3. What was Fred Smith career?

- Fred Smith was a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was best known as the founder and chairman of FedEx, the world’s largest delivery company.

4. Where did Fred Smith go to school?

- Fred Smith studied at Presbyterian Day School and Memphis University School. He later went to Yale University, where he earned a degree in economics in 1966.

5. Who were Fred Smith parents?

Fred Smith father was James Frederick Smith, a successful businessman. His mother was Sally Wallace.

6. Did Fred Smith have any siblings?

- There is no public record of Fred Smith having any siblings.

7. What was Fred Smith religion?

- Fred Smith exact religion is not publicly confirmed, but he was likely Christian, as he was raised in the Southern United States.

8. Who was Fred Smith wife?

- Fred Smith was married twice. He first married Linda Black Grisham in 1969, and they later divorced in 1977. In 2006, he married Diane Smith.

9. How many children did Fred Smith have?

- Fred Smith had 10 children. Some of them are Windland Smith Rice, Molly Smith, Arthur Smith, and Richard W. Smith.

10. What was Fred Smith nationality and net worth?

- Fred Smith was American, and his net worth was about $4.8 billion as of April 2025.