Fred Smith, Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx, Dies at 80

Memphis, June 21, 2025 — Frederick W. Smith, the visionary founder and executive chairman of FedEx Corporation, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80, sources confirmed. Smith, widely regarded as a pioneer in the global logistics and transportation industry, built FedEx into one of the world’s largest and most influential delivery companies.

Born in 1944 in Marks, Mississippi, Smith overcame childhood health challenges, including Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, a bone disease that temporarily crippled him. He graduated from Yale University in 1966 with a degree in economics. During his college years, he wrote a paper outlining the concept of overnight delivery service—a vision that would later become the foundation of FedEx.

Smith founded FedEx in 1973 and served as its CEO until 2022, when he stepped down to become executive chairman. Under his leadership, FedEx revolutionized global commerce by creating a reliable, overnight package delivery network that transformed industries and economies worldwide. He remained deeply involved in the company’s governance, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and public policy.

Tributes poured in from political leaders and business figures alike. Senator Brent Taylor called Smith a “visionary leader and cherished member of our community,” praising his role in creating jobs and opportunities, especially in Memphis. Senator Marsha Blackburn highlighted Smith’s “relentless drive, patriotism, and commitment to service,” noting that his legacy extends beyond FedEx to the countless lives he touched.

Smith’s health history included childhood illness and unspecified concerns that led him to decline a Defense Secretary position during the George W. Bush administration in 2008. The official cause of death has not been publicly released.

In a message to FedEx employees, CEO Raj Subramaniam described Smith as “the heart and soul of FedEx,” a mentor, and an inspiration. “He was a proud father, grandfather, husband, Marine, and friend,” Subramaniam said, urging the company to honor Smith’s legacy by upholding the values he embodied.

Fred Smith’s impact on global logistics and business innovation is enduring. His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership transformed how goods move around the world, making him one of the most successful transportation entrepreneurs of his generation.