Dimitris Kontominas, a Greek businessman that was involved in insurance, retail trade, cinema and was the owner of television channel Alpha has died at the age of 83, the broadcaster announced Thursday.
Kontominas had been facing serious health problems in the past few years and was in an Athens hospital for several months.
He was born on June 3, 1939 in Athens. He studied at the American University of Beirut. Initially, he worked as an insurer in American Life (ALICO). In 1969, he cofounded with Alexander Tampoura the insurance company Interamerican.
Kontominas was president of one of Greece’s largest investment companies
Kontominas was the president of Demco Group, one of Greece’s largest investment holding companies. It has a diversified portfolio, with holdings in media, financial services, entertainment, IT & telecoms, leisure & entertainment, and food & beverages.
Among the company’s portfolio, is the Village Group (cinema and films), Alpha TV and Alpha Radio, Intertech (Panasonic’s exclusive representative in Greece), Prime Insurance, myDirect online insurance, and the Sportday newspaper.
Kontominas was declared “Great Protekdikos Archon of the Ecumenical Throne” by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and “Great Benefactor” by the Metropolis of Chalcedon.
In 2016, he was charged with criminal counts of tax evasion and legalizing income from illegal activity following an investigation carried out by financial prosecutors.
The charge concerned a sum of roughly 48 million euros that arose as a discrepancy between Kontominas’ declared income and the bank deposits in his name during the period 2006-2008.
He had denied all charges and claimed that he was a victim of a “media war” taking place in Greece at the time.
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