Telefónica confirms passing of former chairman César Alierta Izuel

Spanish telco Telefónica confirmed the passing of its former chairman César Alierta Izuel today (January 10) at the age of 78 in Zaragoza, Spain. Alierta served as an executive chairman for 16 years as he was appointed executive chairman of Telefónica in July 2000, a position he held until April 2016.

Alierta was also chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Appointments Committee of the Board of Directors of International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), member of the Board of Directors of China Unicom, chairman of the now-extinct Business Council for Competitiveness (CEC).

José María Álvarez-Pallete, chairman of Telefónica said, “It is a sad day for the Telefónica family. We are all custodians of the immense legacy left to us by César Alierta, a passionate, intelligent, and courageous man with a heart that was wide open.”

He added, "His vision of the future and his intuition always led him to try to change the world for the better. His deep love for his native Zaragoza allowed him to take his homeland to all corners of the world. Thank you very much, dear friend."