Walt Disney Company: for many children, the word ‘Disney’ makes there eyes light up.However, who really was the man behind the whole Disney enterprise? I believe that you should learn a bit about the magical man behind this invention.  Walter Elias Disney, better known as Walt Disney or even ‘Uncle Walt’ was born on December 5th, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois.  At the age of 16, he lied about his age and joined the Red Cross. Disney’s first big break in the arts and entertainment business came after the war from the Kansas City Art Institute where he had won a scholarship.  He soon set up his own company after meeting Ub Iwerks. However this was not to be because it soon went bankrupt.

Afterward, Walt Disney decided to work on a new project called Oswald the Lucky Rabbit which turned out to be a success. This was a strong period for Walt Disney as he was successful financially and he had now married to his wife Lillian Disney. However, in 1928, Disney realized that the animators of the series and the rights to the characters had been stolen away from him.

That night, while taking the train home, Walt Disney started doodling a new cartoon on a piece of paper. This cartoon eventually became the worldly recognizable figure that is Mickey Mouse. This subsequently moved on to the production of theme parks and other Disney related merchandise.

In 1933, his eldest daughter Diane Disney was born. In addition, Walt Disney and his wife had an adopted daughter named Sharon Disney.  His father was Elias Disney of Irish descent and his mother was Flora Call and she was of German descent. One of five children, Disney was always interested in the arts from a young age.

Interestingly, Walt Disney was dyslexic. He instead preferred to express himself through pictures. He was a chain smoker and decided to never smoke in public where he could be seen by children.

For his work regarding the Disney Emprises, he has received a record of 59 Oscar Nominations and honourary degrees and schools such as Harvard,  Yale, Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand.

After a very successful career and life, Walt Disney died on the fifteenth of December 1966 in Los Angeles due to Cardiac Arrest following lung cancer surgery. To this day, the Walt Disney name lives on.