Departures of note

Giorgos Vardinogiannis was a Greek businessman from one of the country's most influential family dynasties, with interests in oil and shipping. Born on 26 November 1936 in Rethymno, he studied navigation in Southampton, England, and pursued a career in the merchant marine, reaching the rank of captain. During the 1960s he was involved in the Varnima shipping company before taking on various responsibilities in the family businesses.

Known as Kapetanios, meaning 'the Captain', he served as president of the Panathinaikos football club from 1979 to 2000, a period in which the club won numerous titles and reached the semifinals of the European Cup in 1985 and the Champions League in 1996. He was married to Agapi Politi, with whom he had three children, including Chrysi, whose 2025 wedding to Prince Nikolaos of Greece brought the family renewed public attention. He died in Athens at the age of 90.