Monday, August 11, 2008

Money can't buy everything...

An unnamed Russian oligarch has plunked down EUR 500 million (GBP 390 million, USD 745 million) to buy a property on the French Riviera. Previously owned by King Leopold of Belgium and the Agnelli family (founders of Fiat), the Villa Leopolda is a "turreted mansion and two guest houses which sit in 20 acres of grounds with hundreds of olive, cypress and lemon trees tended by 50 gardeners..." The previous 'record' was the EUR 150 million purchase of a mansion in Kensington Palace Gardens last year by Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

Well, money can buy you a lot, but it can't ensure long life and happiness. Case in point - the villa was purchased from Lily Safra, the widow of billionaire banker Edmond Safra... He died from smoke inhalation hiding in the 'panic room' of his penthouse apartment in Monaco, all his money notwithstanding...

Russian oligarch 'invader' pays record £392m for Riviera villa

Edmond Safra - Wikipedia
The mystery of the billionaire banker
Mystery in Monaco: Billionaire Death Mystery

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