The great-granddaughter of the founder of Lego sold shares for almost $1 billion

The great-granddaughter of the founder of Lego, Sophie Kirk Christiansen, sold shares for almost $1 billion
Sophie Kirk Christiansen, 47, sold $930 million worth of securities to Kirkbi A/S (which owns 75% of Lego)

The great-granddaughter of the founder of Lego, 47-year-old Sophie Kirk Christiansen, sold part of her shares in the company that owns the manufacturer of the construction set for $930 million, Bloomberg reports.

Christiansen sold 4 million shares of Kirkbi A/S, the family holding company that owns Lego, for about DKK 158,000 apiece. Kirkbi said the funds were paid out in the form of dividends and the shares were canceled. Thus, other family members increased their shares in the family business.

In a statement, the company also said that this year, Sophie Kirk Christiansen decided to sell some of her shares to focus on environmental projects.

Kirkbi owns 75% of Lego, as well as stakes in a number of companies, bonds and real estate. Its assets are estimated at about 166 billion kroner ($24.3 billion). The company is headed by Thomas Kirk Christiansen, brother of Sophie
Kirk Christiansen, since their father Kjell Kirk Christiansen stepped down earlier this year.

Lego was founded in 1916 by Ole Kirk Christiansen. Originally, Lego sets were made of wood, but since 1947 they have been made of plastic.

In 2016, Kjell Kirk Christiansen announced that he would hand over his position as Vice President of Lego A/S to his son Thomas. He also took over as chairman of the Lego Foundation, which owns 25% of Lego. His father was only at the head of Kirkbi A/S.