Michael Zibart

Michael Alan Zibart, a prominent figure in the book industry and a lifelong Nashvillian, died here on Friday, September 5, 2025. Michael was born at Vanderbilt Hospital on March 12, 1947, to parents Joy Hughes and Alan W. Zibart. Joy was a dance instructor, choreographer and performer of modern dance, and Alan, along with his brother Carl Zibart and their father Leon, owned and managed Zibart’s Bookstores on Church Street, in Green Hills and Madison for nearly 100 years.

The Zibarts played a vital part of cultural life in Nashville. Their friends included writers, musicians and artists, newspaper staff, professors, book reps and politicians; they were actively involved with the Nashville Children’s Theater, the Nashville Symphony’s Italian Street Fair, and Cheekwood. Their children, Michael and Eve, were drawn into their circle. The Zibarts’ parties were legendary, and Michael inherited their zeal for entertaining.

Michael grew up on Clifton Lane and attended Peabody Demonstration School, where he played basketball. He graduated from high school in 1965 and earned a B.A. in English from Vanderbilt in 1969. While at Vanderbilt he met Margaret Anne Boyd, whom he married in 1976.

Shortly after graduating, Michael began working for Ingram Book Company, starting in the warehouse. He soon began wholesale buying and eventually headed the Trade Books department, rising to Executive Vice President. In 1988 Michael left Ingram to form his own business, BookPage, a monthly book review publication distributed through bookstores and libraries. He retired from BookPage in 2023, leaving behind a vital and successful publication. Over the course of his career, he encountered numerous colleagues who became lifelong and cherished friends.

Michael was kind, fun-loving, an extraordinary friend, and a devoted husband and father to his two daughters. He loved music, especially Al Green, the Band, Allen Toussaint and the Nevilles. He was equally at home in New York, on the lake at Center Hill and at the beach in Charleston. He enjoyed travel, notably to New Orleans, Ireland, Scotland and England, France, Spain, and Italy, where he memorably celebrated his 50th birthday with parties in both Florence and Rome. Michael was in his element hosting friends and family at home, where he made sure no guest was left with an empty glass.

Michael leaves behind a loving family: wife Margaret, daughters Emily and Mary Claire (Will McDonald), and two grandchildren, Maggie and Kelly McDonald. He is also survived by his sister Eve (Don Tippman) in Washington, D.C. and cousins Rosemary (Jake Barrow) in Santa Fe, NM and Andrew in Portland, OR.

A Celebration of Life will be held at home at a later date. As a memorial and in lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Zibart Family Fund of the Middle TN Community Foundation or the Nashville Public Library.