1924–2019 · Ford and Chrysler executive; Chrysler chairman and CEO 1979–1992
Lido Anthony “Lee” Iacocca was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 15 October 1924, rose to the presidency of Ford, was fired in 1978, and then ran Chrysler through the federal loan-guarantee rescue, the K-car and the minivan before retiring on 31 December 1992. He was his own pitchman — the man who said “If you can find a better car, buy it” on camera — which is exactly why stray leadership slogans stick to his name. He used “Lead, follow or get out of the way” in Chrysler’s Jeep advertising, but the motto was already circulating on American office desks long before he reached Chrysler.