FedEx Founder Fred Smith Dies at 80, Revolutionized Shipping

Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express (now FedEx) and a pioneer of the overnight delivery industry, passed away on June 21, 2025, at the age of 80 in Memphis, Tennessee. Widely regarded as a visionary in global logistics, Smith transformed the way the world ships goods and packages.

Smith first conceived the idea of overnight delivery in a term paper at Yale University. In 1971, using part of a $4 million inheritance, he gained control of the company that would become FedEx. By the end of 1972, Smith had secured around $80 million in loans and equity funding—an unprecedented amount for a startup at the time.

FedEx officially launched in April 1973. On its first night of operation, the company used 14 aircraft to deliver 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities, laying the groundwork for what would become a global logistics empire. His innovation not only created a company but also an entirely new industry standard: guaranteed overnight delivery.

In addition to his business success, Smith was a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a part-owner of the Washington NFL team. He stepped down as FedEx CEO in 2022 but remained executive chairman until his passing.

Industry leaders and public figures have paid tribute to Smith’s legacy, describing him as a bold innovator whose work permanently reshaped the global economy and modern supply chain systems.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com