18 Facts About Alfred Steele

Alfred Nu Steele was an American soft drink businessman most known for being the CEO of Pepsi-Cola Company from 1950 until his sudden death in 1959.

Alfred Nu Steele was born on April 25,1901, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Alfred Steele was the son of Edgar Alfred Steele, a teacher, and his wife Fannie Bartrem.

Alfred Steele's middle name "Nu" was an homage to his father's fraternity "Sigma Nu".

Alfred Steele took on the father role of her four adopted children, Christina, Christopher, and twins Cathy and Cynthia "Cindy".

The twins grew closer to Alfred Steele, being listed as Cathy Crawford's father in her obituary in 2020.

Alfred Steele first worked for the Chicago Tribune, Standard Oil of Indiana, and D'arcy Advertising Company.

In 1949, Alfred Steele took over as president, and later in 1950, he became CEO, appointing Herbert L Barnet as the new president.

Alfred Steele is credited with helping push the change of the old slogan of "twice as much for a nickel, too" stating it was a liability to the company reducing it as the "poor man's Coca-Cola".

Alfred Steele pushed for them to focus on quality, not quantity.

Alfred Steele introduced new cost accounting methods at the company and helped bottlers purchase new trucks and equipment.

Alfred Steele further reduced the sugar content and unsweetened the syrup of Pepsi products as well as introduced them to developing countries.

Alfred Steele refused, but when Crawford heard this, she was happy to if it would benefit her husband.

Alfred Steele supplied accommodations for the family at the Waldorf Astoria - where Alfred Steele and Crawford were staying while they awaited renovations to finish on their penthouse.

Alfred Steele was found on the floor by his wife, Joan Crawford, that morning who quickly phoned the doctor.

Alfred Steele's death came as a shock to his colleagues, friends, and family, who praised him for his leadership and vision at Pepsi-Cola.

Alfred Steele's funeral was held on April 22,1959, at New York's St Thomas Episcopal Church.

Alfred Steele's remains were interred in Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, Westchester, New York.