Athena Onassis, the 41-year-old Greek heiress and one of Europe’s wealthiest women, has stepped down from the board of directors of a major French supermarket chain. Her resignation marks the end of her formal involvement with the company — a role she assumed in March 2024 amid a sweeping corporate restructuring.
A Role Rooted in Crisis and Renewal
The group had been grappling with serious financial difficulties and high debt levels when Onassis joined its board as an independent member. Her appointment was part of a broader governance overhaul following a strategic agreement with new investors — including Czech billionaire Daniel Kretínski — aimed at stabilizing the business and reducing liabilities. As an independent director, her mandate was to oversee decisions objectively and safeguard the interests of the company and its minority shareholders, without pursuing personal commercial gain.
Official Reason — and Lingering Questions
The company cited only “personal reasons” for her departure, offering no further detail. Yet international media outlets have described the move as shrouded in mystery. The French business publication La Minute Riches noted: “Billionaire and invisible… Athena Onassis, heir to the Greek shipping magnate, has just left the board of Groupe Casino after two years. Officially, for ‘personal reasons’. Unofficially? A complete enigma.”
The report went on to describe her as “heir to a dual empire” — referencing both the Onassis and Roussel families — highlighting her elite equestrian background and low public profile. “She appears, acts, and then vanishes. But what, exactly, was this heiress doing in this industrial enterprise?” it asked.
From Public Appearances to Private Life
In March 2025, Onassis attended a gala in Paris hosted by Gala magazine. Images from the event sparked concern over her health at the time — though recent appearances suggest she is in good form and confident. Following her highly publicized 11-year marriage to Álvaro de Miranda Neto, she appeared to have found renewed happiness with Italian equestrian and entrepreneur Alberto Zorzi. Their relationship began auspiciously but has since ended — reportedly at Zorzi’s initiative — leaving Onassis once again navigating life independently.