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Post by Paul Daley on Apr 10, 2005 9:31:46 GMT -5
Benjamin Guggenheim was a well known millionaire industrialist, father of three, and notorious playboy. Travelling with his latest mistress, the French singer Leontine Aubart, Guggenheim, 47 at the time, was the epitome of a first class passenger. Often spending months abroad while managing various investments, Guggenheim lived an unbelievably lavish lifestyle. Most of his money had come from his iron baron father, Meyer Guggenheim. Benjamin never showed the monetary prowse that had made such a giant out of his father. He squandered over 8 million dollars on bad investments, and left his three children with only $450,000 each. (not exactly small change in 1912, but a tiny fraction of the original fortune)auto
As the ship sank, he and his valet returned their lifebelts to a steward and retired to Guggenheim's luxurious cabin, where they donned formal evening attire. Reappearing on deck, Guggenheim stated - "We are dressed in our best, and are prepared to go down like gentlemen."
He later asked a steward to - "Tell my wife in New York I did my best in doing my duty." Reportedly, after seeing to the safe departure of his mistress and her maid in a lifeboat, Guggenheim and his valet sat in chairs on the tilting deck, sipping brandy and smoking cigars as the ship sank.
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