Background
He was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
He was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
In 1950, he became Junior Vice President of the company on his 30th birthday. He was appointed Managing Director in 1957, and became the head of the company after his father died in the following year. In October 1969 Hanne and Kjeld were driving home from a movie in the neighboring town of Give.
Their car skidded off the road and hit a tree.
Hanne was killed and Kjeld was seriously injured. The tragedy so shook Godtfred that he seriously considered selling the company.