Michael Halbye, a Lego executive and longtime friend of Denmark’s Queen Mary, died Saturday following a skiing accident in the Verbier region of the Swiss Alps. He was 64. According to Ekstra Bladet, Halbye suffered a fall while skiing, was airlifted to a hospital, and later died from internal bleeding. His death was confirmed by Kirkbi, the Danish investment company that owns The LEGO Group and manages the wealth of the Kirk Kristiansen family.

Halbye had been a member of Kirkbi’s board of directors since 2020 and was named vice chairman in 2022. The company praised his contributions and leadership, describing him as someone who made a lasting impression both professionally and personally. In a statement, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen expressed the family’s grief, saying, “We will miss Michael as Vice Chairman but first and foremost as a person.” He added that Halbye left a positive impact on everyone around him.

Queen Mary of Denmark on April 9, 2025 in Herlev, Denmark.

Beyond his business role, Halbye had deep ties to Denmark’s royal circles. He served on the board of directors of the Mary Foundation, an organization founded by Queen Mary that works to combat social isolation. The queen paid tribute to Halbye in a message posted Monday on the foundation’s website, describing him as “a man who possessed a rare positive energy, extensive knowledge and a strong commitment to making a difference for those outside the community.” She noted that “he will be missed by many.”

Halbye’s death marks the loss of a respected figure in Danish business and philanthropy, whose influence extended from the boardrooms of major companies to the heart of charitable efforts in Denmark.