Guy Laliberté

Guy Laliberté was born in Québec City in 1959. An accordionist, stilt-walker and fire-eater, he founded Quebec's first internationally-renowned circus with the support of a small group of accomplices. A bold visionary, Guy Laliberté recognized and cultivated the talents of the street performers from the Fête foraine de Baie-Saint-Paul and created Cirque du Soleil in 1984. Inspired by this success, Laliberté and his band of kindred spirits determined to keep the Cirque du Soleil operating. He cultivated both public and private investors; and in 1985 Cirque du Soleil began touring North America.

“When I created Cirque du Soleil, I mixed elements from the world of theater with those of Cirque. With Frooogs, I want to inspire, to propose different ways of coloring the world, of making it more playful, in new and unusual ways, through art and entertainment in all its forms.” - Guy Laliberté.

The success of the company grew rapidly. And by the early 1990s, it was mounting productions in Europe and Asia. In 1993 the troupe debuted its first permanent show, Mystère, at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. Laliberté later opened other permanent shows in Vegas as well as at various other locations such as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and the Tokyo Disney Resort. In 2009, Guy Laliberté was a space tourist aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-16, which visited the International Space Station. In 2010, he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Guy Laliberté was also named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential personalities in the world. Additionally, he was recognized as one of the most creative and innovative minds by Condé Nast. Don't miss your chance to hear Guy Laliberté spin LIVE at The MAXIM Miami Race Weekend Party at Hyde Beach inside SLS South Beach Miami on Friday, May 3, 2024. Grab your tickets now and let the party begin!