The LEGO group has been a family-owned business for three generations. Founder Ole Kirk Christiansen was succeeded by his son Godtfred Kirk, who for the next 20 years continued the developmental growth of the LEGO Group and started launching its products in other countries. His son Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (pictured right) took over leadership in 1979 and oversaw the LEGO Group's development into a global brand.