Godtfred Kirk Christiansen

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen (July 8, 1920 – July 13, 1995) was the third son of Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of the LEGO Group. He was married to Edith Kirk Christiansen. Godtfred and Edith had three children, Gunhild Kirk Johansen, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and Hanne Christiansen. Box art designs from the 1950’s show all three of their children playing with LEGO bricks.
In 1950 on his 30th birthday, Godtfred was made Junior Vice President and Junior Managing Director of the company. He was given a hand-written letter signed by the entire family:
"Sincere best wishes on the Big Day. We want you to know we appreciate and are grateful for what you have done for the company so far. Confident that you will continue to do your best in the interest of the LEGO name, we hereby appoint you today, Saturday, July 8, 1950, junior managing director of A/S LEGO and A/S Kirk Christiansen." 
In 1957, he was appointed Managing Director. When his father died in 1958, He became President of the board of directors, and by 1960 Godtfred had bought out his three brothers, Johannes Christiansen, Karl Georg Kirk Christiansen, and Gerhardt Kirk Christiansen, to become sole proprietor of the LEGO Group.
In October 1969 Hanne and Kjeld were driving home from a movie in the neighbouring town of Give. Their car skidded off the road and hit a tree. Hanne was killed and Kjeld was seriously injured. The tragedy so shook Godtfred that at the time, he seriously considered selling the company.
Kjeld became president and CEO of the LEGO Group in 1979.
He died on July 13, 1995, 5 days after his 75th birthday
== References ==
* LEGO timeline
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