Which well-known businessman was appointed chairman of the Statue of Liberty restoration project in the mid 1980's?

By the early 1980s, the Statue of Liberty was showing her age, suffering from a century of corrosion and decay. To prepare for her upcoming 1986 centennial, a massive restoration project was needed. The man President Ronald Reagan tapped to lead this monumental effort was one of the most famous executives in America at the time: the celebrated chairman of the Chrysler Corporation.

His appointment was a perfect fit, not just for his renowned business acumen and public profile, but for deeply personal reasons. As the son of Italian immigrants who had passed through Ellis Island, he felt a profound connection to the monuments. He spearheaded The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (Review), a public-private partnership that launched one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in American history, securing hundreds of millions of dollars from corporations and private citizens.

Thanks to his leadership, the project culminated in a spectacular celebration on July 4, 1986, where a restored Lady Liberty was unveiled to the world. His efforts ensured that the powerful symbols of freedom and opportunity were preserved for future generations to cherish.