Richest person ever to commit suicide was worth billions of dollars
Dr Adolf Merckle, 75 of Germany was one of the richest people in the world, ranked number 94 by Forbes in 2008 at USD9.2 billion.
His family business controlled a number of German companies, including pharmaceutical company Ratiopharm and cement maker Heidelberg Cement.
He had 100,000 employees and boasted an annual sale of USD41 billion.
He was awarded his country’s highest award, the Bundesverdienstkreuz, in 2005.
He was said to enjoy skiing and mountain climbing.
So it seems he had achieved everything a man could ever hope for in life.
But no, life then threw him a curve ball which even a seasoned businessman of his stature could not handle.
He became severely depressed when his business empire ran into trouble in the ongoing global economic crisis: losing more than half a billion US dollars in 2008 due to “wrong-way bets on Volkswagen shares.”
He killed himself on 5th January 2009 when he apparently allowed himself to be run over by a train. His body was found on the tracks about 7.30 pm, only 300 meters from his house. A suicide note was found, its contents not revealed.
His family issued the following statement:
Adolf Merckle lived and worked for his family and his firms. The distress to his firms caused by the financial crisis and the related uncertainties of recent weeks, along with the helplessness of no longer being able to act, broke the passionate family businessman, and he ended his life.
He left behind his wife and 4 children.
Source
The BBC, 6th Jan 2009
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he has got so much money……… what is he afraid of??? many many other people in the world who earn barely enough to meet ends meet, did not commit suicide ? is this supposed to be true – poor people lives happier than Rich people?????????
I think the secret to happiness is to count your blessings: to be thankful for what you have.
even TOMOU lived happily….!!!!
Adolf had equated the value of his life to a few Billions in cash. How tragic, Life cannot be equated in financial terms.