Leonard Riggio, the influential entrepreneur and founder of Barnes & Noble, Inc., passed away at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Known affectionately as Len, he leaves behind a legacy marked by his pioneering impact on the retail and book industries.
Riggio is survived by his wife of 43 years, Louise, and their three daughters, Lisa Rollo of Jupiter, Florida; Donna Cortese of Oyster Bay, New York; and Stephanie Bulger of Bridgehampton, New York. He also leaves behind a brother, Stephen (Laura) of New York City, four grandsons, and several nieces and nephews. His passing was preceded by his parents, Stephen and Lena Riggio, his brother Vincent “Jimi” Riggio, and niece, Melissa Ann Riggio.
Born in Manhattan’s Little Italy and raised in Brooklyn, Riggio was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School. He excelled academically, graduating at just 16 before briefly attending New York University. His career began modestly in a college bookstore, where he started as a stock boy. Choosing practical experience over formal education, he climbed the ranks through sheer tenacity and a keen sense for the retail experience.
Riggio was not only the force behind Barnes & Noble Booksellers, the largest operator of retail bookstores, but also founded Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, MBS Textbook Exchange, and GameStop. At the height of his career, his operations included over 5,000 retail stores nationwide, employing more than 100,000 people and reshaping the American retail landscape.
His commitment extended beyond business; Riggio was deeply involved in social justice and philanthropy. He served on the board of the Children’s Defense Fund and organized the 1996 “Stand for Children” March in Washington, D.C. His initiative, Project Home Again, provided 101 homes to families in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, demonstrating a profound commitment to community revitalization.
Riggio also championed public education, literacy, and the arts. His notable contributions include funding DIA and creating a Writing and Democracy Program at the New School. His efforts earned him the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League, highlighting his work to “celebrate diversity and make the dream of freedom and equality a reality for so many Americans.”
For small business owners and solopreneurs, Riggio’s journey from a stock boy to a retail mogul exemplifies the power of vision, adaptability, and community engagement in building a sustainable business. His story offers invaluable lessons on leveraging small beginnings for substantial impact.
