Lego boss Michael Halbye dies in Swiss skiing tragedy: Who is he? All you need to know about the freak accident

Michael Halbye, a top executive at Lego and a close friend of the Danish royal family, died in a tragic skiing accident in the Verbier region of Switzerland.

The death was announced by Kirkbi chairman and top Lego boss Kris Kristiansen, who said: “It is with great sadness that we received the news of Michael’s sudden passing. Our thoughts and care go to Michael’s family and loved ones, who are now faced with having to process the unexpected loss of a man who, in all facets of life, has left a great and positive impression on those around him.”

Denmark’s Queen Mary issued a statement paying tribute to her friend after his death on April 12, describing it as “a great personal loss” and reflecting on the deep bond they shared.

The queen said in a statement posted on her foundation’s website, “I have received with great sadness the news of Michael Halbye’s sudden death. Michael Halbye was a man who possessed a rare positive energy, extensive knowledge and a strong commitment to making a difference for those outside the community.”

“He was also my friend, and he will be missed by many. My thoughts go out to his family and close friends,” she added.

How did Michael Halbye die?

Halbye was skiing at an exclusive resort at Verbier, located in the Swiss Alps, when he fell on the piste on Saturday, April 12, sustaining critical injuries. He was airlifted to a hospital but died from internal bleeding shortly after his arrival.

Who was Michael Halbye?

Halbye, 64, was the deputy chairman of Kirkbi, an investment fund that owns a majority stake in The Lego Company.

He had been a member of Kirkbi’s board of directors since 2020 and was elected vice chairman in 2022. He quickly became a trusted partner of chairman Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, whose family owns a majority of the Lego Group.

Earlier, he was a senior partner emeritus at McKinsey & Company, a company he joined in 1983. At McKinsey, Michael Halbye was head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

How Michael Halbye became close to Danish royal family?

When Frederik was still a prince—before ascending to the throne as King Frederik X— Halbye was reportedly appointed to help teach him about Danish business life. This later blossomed into a friendship, Danish newspaper Berlingske said.

He had also been part of the Queen Mary Foundation’s board of directors since its inception in 2007. The organisation, which focuses on anti-bullying and mental health, credited Halbye with playing a “central role” in shaping the foundation into what it is today.