As founder and chairman of the Choueiri Group, the Middle East’s largest media broker, Choueiri was a modern day colossus who, for nearly half a century, straddled the region’s media and advertising sectors.

Throughout his lengthy career he attracted various monikers, such as the “godfather” of advertising “grandfather” and “media mogul.” But in a rare interview, when asked how he describes himself he simply replied, “Just a man from Lebanon.”

But such modesty belied his vast achievements. As a businessman he was hugely driven, possessed of great ingenuity and a shrewd strategist. He was also, say many, “exceptionally intellectual”, “very bullish” and “a fighter”. The man from Lebanon was born in Beirut on Aug. 3, 1939 although the family roots are deep in The Cedars hillside town of Becharre.

The eldest of three sons, his father was a railway mechanic.

Limited funds prevented his attending university but a focused determination, that was to become the hallmark of all his dealings, saw the 15-year-old school leaver enroll for night school. He studied accountancy and attained the highest qualification available in Lebanon at that time.

His first significant job was with Beirut-based luxury goods group Abou Adal Group which also happened to own two magazines and within 10 years he rose to become its media general manager.

He married Rose, the mother of his two children, Pierre and Lina, in 1961.