Greek magnate shipowner onassis. Onassis aristotle

ARISTOTLE was born in 1906 in the Turkish city of Izmir (in which, according to legend, the great Homer was also born) in the family of a businessman Socratos Onassis. Mother died early, and father married a second time. The stepson hated his stepmother, but endured. However, Ari (as his relatives called him) squandered his “ardor” in numerous love affairs.

At the age of 12, he was seduced by a French teacher. As a student, he turned out to be capable and after a few lessons he himself could give lessons in “French love”.

What a mess, Ari! What are you doing here?! - the menacing cry of the stepmother, who suddenly descended into the basement of their house, pulled the teenager out of the arms of a young washerwoman. In the evening, Aristotle also inherited from his father, but he was more concerned about the choice of a partner by his son: "Never get involved with those who can ruin your reputation." But the son did not immediately heed the advice.

Following the washerwoman, the loving young man "became attached" to a Turkish merchant whom he met on the beach. Then there were girls from neighboring streets. And when they got bored, the company of high school students, led by the restless Ari, fell into the port brothel. But nevertheless, the time of growing up has come, Aristotle appreciated his father's advice and in the future strictly adhered to it.

In 1914, Greek pogroms began in Turkey, Sokratos was imprisoned. The son, with the help of bribes and the "necessary" people, rescued him from imprisonment. The young man dreamed of getting rich, but this could only be done overseas. But in order to leave for the States, one had to stand in line for a visa for several years. Aristotle turned 16, he had no time to wait, and he went to South America.

In September, Ari set foot on the noisy and cheerful coast of Buenos Aires. In his hands, the prudent young man held a small suitcase with excellent Turkish tobacco. But Onassis did not have to do business right away. At first, I had to be content with a modest job as a clerk at the telephone exchange of the English company British United River. At work, he was busy in the evenings and at night, the next day he slept before dinner, and in the afternoon he joined the art of commerce. Who knows how long this process of “initiation” would have lasted if the future billionaire had not at his disposal such a hot commodity ... as other people's secrets. Their enterprising Ari fished out, or rather, listened to while on duty at the switchboard. Apparently, he found good buyers, because very soon he had at his disposal a hefty capital of several thousand dollars. Once he managed to be useful to Senor Juan Gaon, the head of the largest tobacco company. He gave him a recommendation, and the first small order followed. This is where the suitcase comes in handy. In Argentina, they were not familiar with oriental varieties of tobacco, and the goods from Turkey came to their taste ... Since then, everything went like clockwork - on Caple Viamonte Street, 332, in one of central regions capital, a sign appeared: "Importer of Oriental Tobacco". But just in case, in order to insure against the vicissitudes of fate, Ari did not leave his place in the telephone company for quite a long time, continuing to alternately trade in tobacco and other people's secrets.

You hit means you love

IN 1929, Aristotle's bank account exceeded one million. Then he "bought" the post of Greek consul in Buenos Aires. And in this capacity, he often went to the port to meet Greek ships. According to him, the alluring smells of the ocean awakened in him an attraction to the sea element. He stepped onto the sea path without fear and doubt: he bought several obsolete ships from bankrupt shipowners for a pittance. With his wallet stuffed full, full of bright hopes, he headed for London. Those who dealt with him found it hard to believe that this successful businessman, just a few years ago, was crossing the Atlantic in the other direction with only $60 in his pocket.

... Aristotle Onassis quickly learned the truth that you have to pay for everything. And yet he was sure: even pleasure should be received with benefit for oneself. The beautiful Ingeborg Dedichen, the daughter of a Norwegian shipping magnate, fully complied with this principle. He met her by chance in 1934, traveling on the motor ship "August", and fell in love with all the passion of his southern temperament. But Inga was cold as snow, and impregnable, like a Scandinavian fortress. Numerous admirers, who were perhaps more aroused by her father's wealth than by the cold beauty of the Norwegian, tried to starve her out. But only Onassis succeeded. The hot Greek acted like he was earning his first million - witty, energetic and aggressive. He hired her as a swimming coach. And, of course, he taught not only to swim, but also to love. Aristotle ignited in Ingeborg such a passion that she did not even suspect. And he was unusually jealous, in anger he spread his hands, because he believed: if you hit, then you love, and ... that violence brings spice to sexual pleasure. Inga turned out to be an extremely patient woman, but one day, unable to withstand the bullying, she tried to commit suicide. They managed to save her, but the knot that connected both of them was untied. However, Onassis received his benefit - an affair with Ingeborg, which lasted several years, helped him enter the world of international shipping companies.

Best of the day

Sooner or later men settle down. And Onassis also wanted to start a family, have children. He could love anyone, but he wanted to marry only a Greek woman. The 45-year-old millionaire wished to marry the heiress of a noble and wealthy family, the first bride of Hellas, 16-year-old Tina Levanos. Her father was categorically against it: the groom not only had a reputation as a libertine, but he was also suspected of sea piracy. Father Levanos was also frightened by the age difference. But Aristotle broke the resistance of the future father-in-law - in 1946 in Orthodox Church New York, she and Tina got married. The tabloids painted a bracelet with diamonds and the monogram "T. I. L. Y. (Tina I love you), which Ari gave to his wife for the wedding. But who then knew that she would be the first of three magnificent women to whom Onassis would present exactly the same decoration. A year later, the happy couple had a son, Alexander, and three more years later, a daughter, Christina. However, constancy was absent among the virtues of Onassis - he again went into all serious trouble and began to cheat on his wife. For this, he was often served by an ocean yacht, named after his daughter Christina. About the yacht should be said specifically.

It was one of the most expensive yachts in the world, its maintenance alone cost Onassis a little less than 1.5 million dollars a year. It was larger than a football field. "Floating Paradise" was served by 60 people - team members, well-trained stewards, security, 2 hairdressers, a massage therapist specially ordered from Sweden and even a small orchestra. Cabins were decorated with expensive woods, bathrooms - with marble and gold. In the office of the hospitable host hung ancient Russian icons and paintings painted by the hand of El Greco, whom he loved.

Accordingly, the luxury of the yacht behaved and its owner. One of the captains of the ship recalled how once Onassis wanted to moor in some port to eat spaghetti on the shore (despite the fact that four cooks worked on the ship). The captain asked if the "passenger" knew that this maneuver would cost him ... 60 thousand dollars. To which he replied: "You don't need to worry about my money."

Oh Maria!

... IN THE BEGINNING of June 1959, the Onassis couple went to Venice for the annual ball given by Countess Costelbarco. Tina Onassis, dressed in a stunning dress with a cascade of diamonds, rubies and emeralds, was admired by everyone. But Aristotle did not take his eyes off the guest of honor - the opera star Maria Callas. He did not want to miss the booty and invited Callas and her husband Giovanni Menegini on a Mediterranean cruise on the Christina. In June, when the Christina sailed into the Aegean, Maria Callas completely succumbed to Ari's charms. He was not hindered by the presence on board the yacht of either Tina or Maria's spouse. Menejini himself was in complete ignorance, until one night a tearful Tina woke him up, saying that she had found his famous wife and her husband doing "interesting business." Nevertheless, Callas and Menegini returned to Italy together. Onassis followed them. “Give her to me. How much do you want for her?" - he tortured his wife. - Five million? Consider that you have already received them. Do you want ten? Giovanni put Onassis out, but woke up the next morning alone. For the sake of Aristotle, Mary was ready for anything. Weighing more than 100 kilograms, she lost weight beyond recognition. Aristotle became her philanthropist and furnished her premieres all over the world with extraordinary luxury. But, not being a music lover, she experienced nothing but boredom at her beloved's performances ... She introduced him to royal and princely houses, where she was often invited to perform. Tina, who had endured so much, finally filed for divorce. Now Onassis and Callas were together. One day, Maria publicly announced their intention to get married, but the next day, the "freshly baked" groom called it "just a fantasy." He achieved his goal and now enjoyed the fame that his relationship with Mary brought him. In addition, new prey appeared on the horizon - Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of the 35th President of the United States.

Spender

The acquaintance of the billionaire and the first lady took place on the same famous yacht Christina. The lovers met only at official receptions, he showed Jackie signs of attention and was ready to fulfill her every whim. Jacqueline made the decision to marry him as soon as possible. This marriage was supposed to elevate Onassis to an unprecedented height, on the way to which he swept away everything - even true love for Maria Callas, who soon after Onassis's wedding lost her magnificent voice. When, during the next telephone conversation with the chosen one of his heart, Onassis heard the desired “yes”, he immediately gave a laconic command: “Fly out. Now. Immediately".

... On a gloomy autumn day, hectic life in the huge Kennedy Airport in New York went on as usual. The dispatcher announced the boarding of the Boeing 707 of the Greek airline Olympic Airways. The silver car, shaking the air with the roar of jet engines, smoothly taxis onto the runway. But what is it? The stewardess, who had already given the command to fasten her seat belts, suddenly reappears in the cabin. On her face is a slightly guilty, embarrassed smile. Astonished passengers are informed that the flight has been cancelled. The company assumes all possible losses. It also guarantees shipment on the next flight. And 85 men, women, children leave the plane. And at this time, a cortege of cars rolls up to the airport building. Those whom the Boeing will take across the Atlantic have arrived: Jacqueline Kennedy with two children, her mother, relatives from the Kennedy clan, bodyguards and maids. “Truly royal power was required to interrupt and cancel an international flight, disembark dozens of passengers and take their seats. However, today even monarchs cannot afford this. You need to be Onassis, a person who owns, among other things, his own airline, in order to decide on this, ”the famous chronicler accompanied the description of this scene with such a maxim. secular life French magazine Parimatch. Onassis often and edifyingly repeated the phrase in his circle of friends: “The only thing that is taken into account today is money. Those who possess them are the real kings of our day."

Becoming Mrs. Onassis, Jacqueline could have everything that money can buy. But family life did not go well. As it turned out, Jackie is not the ideal that Aristotle was looking for. He was overwhelmed by the countless expenses of Jackie: she bought clothes in collections, shoes and linen in containers. In her first year of marriage, she spent more than a million dollars on her "dress". At first, Onassis liked it, but as the bills grew, he became less and less generous: “What is she doing with all these clothes? I've never seen her in anything other than jeans."

End of an empire

And HE… returned to Mary. But luck seems to have turned its back on him. In 1973, his son Alexander, who adored the sky just like his father, the sea, crashed on the plane of his airline. Ari turned into an old man overnight. And in the autumn of the same fateful year, his first wife Tina passed away, having swallowed "wheels". And in the same way, his daughter Christina, who ran away from home and married an elderly womanizer, passed away. Loss of health was added to personal failures: Onassis was given a fatal diagnosis - an immune disease, due to which he had to attach his eyelids to his forehead with tape. And then the Greek government made a firm decision to take what was left of Olimpic Airways. This blow, inflicted on his pride, was the last. On March 15, 1975, at the age of 69, Aristotle Onassis died.

He left behind a huge fortune - according to various estimates, it totaled from 3 to 5 billion dollars. In recent years, Onassis was earning over $200,000 a day.

15 YEARS ago, on November 19, 1988, the last of the Onassis clan, Atina Russel, the granddaughter of Aristotle, inherited her grandfather's entire empire. Since then, the best grooms in the world dreamed of only one thing: that the girl turned 18 as soon as possible and she came into possession of 14 billion dollars.

... Atina from the first days of her life got used to luxury. Her dolls were dressed in Christian Dior dresses, Christmas gifts for the young lady looked like exhibits from the Kremlin's Diamond Fund. For example, a rocking horse, decorated with rubies, diamonds and emeralds, once presented to a baby, cost 700 thousand dollars.

The girl does not go anywhere without a guard armed to the teeth. And for good reason: the young billionaire was assassinated at least seven times. The father took his daughter to live in Switzerland. Since then, she has been living in his new family with her stepmother and three half-siblings.

Onassis's granddaughter admitted that when she gets her grandfather's billions, she will immediately donate them to charity, and leave herself a mere trifle - forty millions, so as not to depend on anyone, and go somewhere in the rural wilderness to breed horses. Maybe in this earthly occupation she will find her happiness?

Onassis Aristotle

(b. 1906 - d. 1975)

Greek shipowner, billionaire.

His financial successes were as significant as those of women.

The name of one of the richest people in the world, Aristotle Onassis, was covered in legends during his lifetime. They arose thanks to the extraordinary fate of the Greek billionaire, and his extraordinary character, and, of course, his countless love affairs, which all of Europe and America knew about. Onassis strove to be the first in everything - in business, love, advertising his own life - and almost always he succeeded.

The famous tycoon, international businessman who created a huge fleet of supertankers and cargo ships, was born in 1906. He came from a wealthy family of tobacco dealers that did business in the then Greek city of Smyrna (now Turkish Izmir). In 1922, the Turks captured Smyrna, and the Onassis family was forced to flee, having lost almost all their accumulated wealth. In search of means of a comfortable existence, young Aristotle

Onassis went to South America, where he soon discovered an extraordinary ability for commerce. It was said that when the steamer arrived in Buenos Aires, there were no more than a hundred dollars in his wallet. For about a year, the future billionaire worked odd jobs in the port, until he finally got a job as an electrician in the Argentine branch of the American telephone company ITT.

Onassis' first happy deal was the importation of Greek tobacco to the Argentine market. Some time later, Aristotle began repairing the half-flooded old tanker he had bought. Thus began his career as a shipowner, his "star path" to the heights of world business. By the mid 70s. the state of the Greek exceeded $ 1.5 billion. Onassis then owned a powerful merchant fleet, including 50 large-capacity vessels, including 15 tankers, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investments in US and Western European companies.

What helped Onassis to fly so high? Among the features of his character, amazing energy, perseverance and amazing performance stood out. He was also distinguished by enviable health. In his younger years, Onassis slept no more than 3–4 hours, devoting the rest of his time to work. Aristotle was also helped by his penchant for various adventures, risk, promiscuity in means.

The energy of Onassis amazed contemporaries. He managed to conclude contracts, monitor the passage of ships, keep complex accounting, take part in numerous negotiations and at the same time find time for love and pleasure. Moreover, the successful businessman conquered the hearts of women with surprising ease - from simple fishermen to stars of the first magnitude, fascinated by the magnetism of his personality. At the same time, Ari's credo, as his friends called him, was simple to the point of cynicism: “In bed, I don't want stupid conversations. No questions like: “Was it as good for you as it was for me?” “He was always guided by the principle: only what “benefits me” matters. And here one remark is pertinent. Despite the many love affairs, Onassis had a serious relationship only with women of high society, since, in addition to sensual pleasures, he also sought to have practical benefits.

An example of this is his brief love affair in Buenos Aires with 35-year-old Italian opera prima Claudia Muziyo. Having become Claudia's lover, the young and enterprising Onassis persuaded her to appear in public smoking cigarettes of his production. And because in the 20s. 20th century For a woman to smoke in society was considered the height of indecency, then there was no better advertisement to increase the demand for tobacco products. Especially for free!

It turned out to be very useful for Onassis and an affair with the daughter of the owner of a flotilla of whaling ships, a young Norwegian, Ingeborg Dediehen. He met her on board a transatlantic liner in 1934. True, Miss Dediehen herself, who managed to lose her father, did not have a crown at that time, but among the Scandinavian shipbuilders, the Ingeborg family had big weight. And the dexterous Onassis, who at that time owned several ships and was developing a program for building his own tanker fleet, did not have much difficulty through her to make important acquaintances at the shipyards of Scandinavia.

This stormy romance lasted long enough, almost twelve years, but did not lead to marriage. Inga admired Onassis as a lover, was crazy about his skin, passionate kisses, but at the same time she also knew wild southern jealousy. She later said that he was jealous of her even for her own shadow. Moreover, scenes of jealousy were often accompanied by beatings. When Onassis raised his hand to Inga for the first time, she did not attach any serious importance to this and even admired his professional blows, which did not leave the slightest trace on the body. But the beatings began to be repeated more and more often, both with and without reason. At the same time, Onassis confessed to his mistress that violence gave him sexual pleasure. He proudly said that the Greeks have it in their blood, and even cited a cynical proverb: "He who hits well, he loves well."

Onassis did not dare to marry Ingeborg: the difference in the characters of the lovers was too great. And the violent passion, reinforced by beatings, eventually began to annoy Ingeborg. Besides, who marries mistresses?

After the break with Ingeborg Dediekhen, Onassis did not stay alone for long, and even seriously thought about getting married. Athena (everyone called her Tina) Livanos, the daughter of the largest Greek shipowner Stavros Livanos, became his chosen one. Onassis met her in 1943 in New York at one of the social receptions and soon proposed to her. True, at that time Tina was only 14 years old, and Onassis had to wait almost three years for his bride to grow up. But still he waited! During this time, by the way, the future father-in-law and the future son-in-law scrupulously studied each other's books.

Aristotle Onassis and Athena Livanos got married in December 1946. One of the wedding gifts to the bride from the groom was a luxurious bracelet with diamonds - with the monogram "TL.L.U". (Tina. I love you). It should be noted here that Tina was the first of the three magnificent women to whom Onassis gave such bracelets. Subsequently, Maria Callas and Jacqueline Kennedy received them in turn. The text on the monogram remained the same, only the names changed.

For 46-year-old Onassis, this marriage was a very good deal. As a wife, he got a lovely girl, intelligent, well-bred, from a noble Greek family. In addition, Tina was a wealthy heiress, since her father's fortune totaled almost $ 1 billion. As a wedding gift, Livanos gave his future son-in-law a donation for two ships worth over a million dollars. True, when it came to paperwork, it turned out that the father-in-law, to put it mildly, cheated, and instead of two ships, Onassis got only one.

As for the money received by Tina as a dowry, it was invested in the Tina Realty Corporation specially created by Livanos for this purpose. Of the millions denied by Livanos to his beloved daughter, the young couple received 446 thousand dollars in their hands - for renting apartments in New York. The rest of the money of the Tina Realty Corporation was reliably protected by various clauses of the contract from Onassis's possible encroachments.

So, family life began quite safely. Young Tina, in love with her experienced husband, admired his charm, passion, inexhaustible love ardor. A year and a half after the wedding, the Onassis couple had a son, Alexander, and in 1950, a daughter, Christina.

Business was also developing as well as possible, and Aristotle was already able to acquire things that even very rich people could not afford. Perhaps the most significant of these costly acquisitions was a yacht named "Christina" after her beloved daughter. Since 1954, this famous yacht has practically become a real home for Onassis and his family.

Onassis did not spare money for the arrangement and decoration of the "floating palace" as high as a five-story building and 100 meters long. The luxurious salon was decorated with original paintings by El Greco, priceless mosaic paintings on ancient Greek scenes. The smoking room had a fireplace decorated with lapis lazuli, and the bathrooms were finished with marble. The taps of the ship's water system were made of gold, the rails in the bar were made of Ivory, parquet - from precious woods. On board there was even a landing area for a small aircraft that could take off directly from the yacht. Numerous guests were served by about 40 people. Of course, there was also a swimming pool on the yacht, which was easily converted into a dance floor.

Celebrities from all over the world constantly visited Christina. At one time, members of the royal families, Hollywood "stars" (such as Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly), leading European politicians rested here. Onassis was especially proud of the visit of 80-year-old Winston Churchill, who had already retired by that time. Actually, the famous guests, like the yacht itself, supported the image of Onassis as a successful millionaire.

On the yacht, Onassis indulged in love pleasures. This self-confident, charming, bursting with energy Greek practically did not receive refusals. Only once did Aristotle admit defeat: despite all the efforts, Greta Garbo remained adamant and did not succumb to his charms.

The marriage of Onassis with Tina lasted more than ten years. Until something happened that was probably to be expected from Onassis with his indefatigable energy, passions and ambitions. The name of the woman who conquered him for a long time is Maria Callas, a world-famous opera singer. Onassis became seriously interested in her in the summer of 1959 in Venice, where he went with his wife to the annual ball given by Countess Costelbarco. And although everyone's attention was riveted on Tina, dressed in a luxurious dress adorned with a garland of diamonds, rubies and emeralds, Onassis did not take his eyes off Mary all evening. Before that, he met with her only once, also in Venice and also at a social event.

He later said that these meetings were historical, "because we were the most famous Greeks in the world."

Delighted by Mary, Onassis did not fail to invite the singer and her husband Giovanni Batista Menegini to the "Christina". Maria initially refused, but it was difficult to resist Onassis's persistence. In the end, she agreed.

At the very beginning of this significant journey, Onassis and Mary were seized by a real love fever, and they were not prevented by the presence of either Tina or Giovanni on board the yacht, who was literally shocked and very offended. Indeed, for the sake of Maria Callas, he, a wealthy industrialist from Verona, left his family and business, was a devoted husband for ten years and devoted himself entirely to the career of a young wife. Despite the almost 30-year age difference, everyone considered their marriage a happy one. And suddenly, on the yacht of Onassis, Maria changed so much! All night long she danced with Aristotle, and later retired with him in his cabin. Of course it was a scandal! And Maria's husband insisted that they leave the yacht at the nearest port, board a plane and return to Milan.

This cruise became fatal for Kallas' family life. She fell in love with Onassis so selflessly that for his sake she decided to part with her husband, to neglect secular conventions. In one of the interviews, she announced a break with her husband, and in November 1959 an official divorce followed.

Outraged, Tina also filed for divorce. True, by this time the relationship between the spouses had already gone wrong, as evidenced by the constant scandals from which the children suffered greatly. Tina had long felt defenseless and weak in front of her husband's strong, assertive, selfish personality. The relationship between Onassis and Mary, as it were, summed up this not very happy marriage. The divorce proceedings of the famous couple were lengthy and scandalous and ended in November 1960. Aristotle left part of his multi-million dollar fortune to his wife, and a year and a half later she married an English lord.

From the outside it might seem that now Onassis's ambition is satisfied: he possessed a famous woman, voice and amazing beauty which was admired by the whole world. But something was wrong in this love union, although Mary passionately loved Aristotle. At his request, she could sing for his guests almost all night long and at the same time refuse a lucrative contract and a performance if Arnie did not want it! She often had to spend long days alone, waiting for her lover who was always busy with transactions. She moved to Paris to "intercept" Onassis during his constant voyages between London and Monte Carlo, where the billionaire's empire had offices. And she even terminated the pregnancy at a later date (at seven months!) Just because Onassis demanded it. For the sake of love, she sacrificed everything, including her career as a singer. “I don’t want to sing anymore,” she admitted in one of her interviews. - I want to live. Live like any woman."

Callas dreamed of marriage to Onassis and once even publicly announced that it would take place. However, the very next day, Onassis called this statement "just a fantasy." He loved Maria in his own way, she became the second woman to whom he gave the famous diamond bracelet, changing the first letter T to M, but he did not even think about marrying her. In addition, a woman appeared in his life who was more suitable for the role of Mrs. Onassis. It was the legendary Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of the 35th President of the United States. Onassis later called it "his highest achievement."

Onassis met Jacqueline back when John F. Kennedy was a senator. The couple visited the "Christine" at a time when Winston Churchill was visiting there. While the politicians were having lengthy conversations, Onassis showed the yacht to the charming guest.

The second time, Jacqueline rested on the famous yacht in August 1963. At that time, she lost her third, recently born child, and the Greek magnate suggested that she unwind a bit and get rid of her depression. John F. Kennedy was by no means enthusiastic about this cruise, and therefore made a condition: Jacqueline would be accompanied by her sister Lee and the assistant secretary of state for commerce with his wife.

Onassis did everything possible to make Jacqueline feel comfortable. At her service were two hairdressers, a masseuse, an orchestra played for her, cooks prepared delicious dishes. The first lady of America was resting, literally bathing in luxury. But everything was ruined by publications on the pages of American newspapers of photographs of Jacqueline walking along the streets of Izmir or relaxing in a bikini with Onassis. They had the effect of an exploding bomb. The decency of the behavior of the first lady was called into question!

Furious, Kennedy demanded that Jacqueline return home immediately. She refused, but still agreed to accompany him on a campaign trip to Texas, which was to take place in a month. On this fateful trip, 34-year-old Janklin became a widow: President Kennedy was shot right in the center of Texas in front of a crowd of thousands. Onassis immediately flew to the funeral. He met Jacqueline again a year after these tragic events, now in his house on Foch Avenue in Paris. He tried so hard to keep this meeting a secret that he even sent his servants away and served dinner himself. Then Aristotle visited her more and more often in New York, sometimes they dined together in restaurants. And gradually, Jackie began to feel safe with this man, who had tremendous vitality. She liked that Onassis was very attentive to her, unusually generous. With him, she could talk openly about her failed family life, about the death of a child, and about the horror she experienced during the murder of her husband. In May 1968, she was already ready to accept Onassis' proposal to marry him, but asked for a delay until presidential elections, in which the brother of her deceased husband Robert Kennedy was to win. She loved Robert very much and took an active part in his election campaign.

On June 5, 1968, another tragedy struck the Kennedy clan. Robert was fatally shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Jacqueline was horrified. “I hate this fucking America killing its best people. Someday this country will kill me and my children!” she said to her secretary.

And Onassis, having learned about this misfortune, could not hide his joy: “Finally, she is free from these Kennedys!” he exclaimed.

In the end, Onassis got what he wanted. On October 20, 1968, on the island of Skorpios in the Aegean Sea, he married Jacqueline Kennedy. The groom by that time was already 62 years old.

This wedding was savored by the entire Western press for a whole month. With all the details, it was also reported about the "air bridge", through which mountains of tulips were delivered from Holland to Skorpios; and about the armada of ships, day and night unloading food and crates of drinks in the port of Skorpios; and about a flotilla of motor boats with reporters who tried in vain to break through the blockade ring formed by the patrol ships of Onassis himself and the ships of the Greek Navy. A brave journalist who managed to deceive the vigilance of the helicopter pilots who were covering the island from the air and parachute was not ignored. Tailor the groom's tailcoat, jewels on wedding dress brides, a diamond bracelet with the monogram "J.I.L.Y"; guests who were honored to be present at the "wedding of the century"; and even the massacre of journalists at the Athens airport, where policemen obedient to Onassis killed the cameras of hundreds of reporters who rushed to cover the arrival of the bride from New York - all this was presented as a world sensation.

The “young”, despite the fact that the bride was a Catholic, got married according to the Orthodox rite. There were few guests - the closest relatives and business partners, only about 30 people. And of course, no press!

Members of the Kennedy family ignored this wedding. Rose Kennedy, the mother of the assassinated president, found the strength to congratulate her now former daughter-in-law over the phone, to wish her happiness, but, after hanging up, she began to cry. Ethel, the widow of Robert Kennedy, with whom Jacqueline was very friendly, sent a congratulatory telegram, but, like the rest of the family, did not come to the wedding.

America took the marriage of Jacqueline Kennedy as a national tragedy. For all their democracy, the Americans were never able to accept such a flagrant misalliance. Newspapers wrote: “A magnificent masterpiece fell from its pedestal, and it turned out that it was made of flesh and blood. Jacqueline is no longer a mystical symbol of the nation's tragedy, she is just a woman."

And yet, why did Onassis need the brilliant Jacqueline? Why did he leave Maria Callas and set his children against him, since Christina and Alexander did not want to see another woman next to their father, except for their mother?

The press stated bluntly: out of vanity, a wealthy Greek who owned a tanker fleet comparable to that of a major maritime power and half the gambling business in Monte Carlo bought himself the most famous woman in the world. Indeed, marrying Jacqueline Kennedy was just a bargain: Onassis provided his wife with financial independence and security for her and her children, she also introduced her husband to the transcendental high society of America, so necessary for his business. Their marriage contract, in which there were 170 points, corresponded to the best commercial canons. It was more like a conventional charter agreement, under which the vessel is provided for use at prices that fluctuate depending on the season. Here are just a few examples. Immediately after the wedding, Jacqueline received $ 3 million and one million was put in the name of her children. In the event that Onassis leaves her, she will receive 10 million dollars for each year lived together; if Onassis turns out to be abandoned (but only after five years of family life), then monetary compensation to her will be 18.75 million dollars. In the event of her husband's death, she was to receive $200,000 annually...

Journalists with voluptuousness described the countless expenses of the new Mrs. Onassis, which stunned the townsfolk and raised the circulation of newspapers. Jacqueline buys shoes and underwear in containers, buys collections of clothes from the best couturiers for fabulous money, sable coats worth 60,000 thousand dollars each, unique jewelry made by jewelers in a single copy, yachts ... Jacqueline drives Rolls-Royces, flies on private jets , has bodyguards, at her disposal are luxurious villas in Paris, Morocco, Italy - with well-trained staff and silent secretaries who keep any secret ...

But finding pleasure in crazy spending, in the presence of Onassis, Jacqueline did not feel happy, rather, she was a stranger to him. Her husband's behavior and habits irritated and even oppressed, seemed a mockery of her refined taste, restrained demeanor, impenetrability, hiding vulnerability. Onassis was, as they say, "simple on the board", he loved noisy fun, grand gestures, was impulsive, did not hide his emotions. She and Jacqueline were so different that they preferred to spend time apart. She is in Paris and New York, he is in Greece. Or vice versa.

Later, the newspapers asked: “Did Fortune get jealous of Aristotle for his last trophy and decided to take revenge on his favorite? Or did Jacqueline Kennedy bring bad luck with her? Be that as it may, but since 1969, luck, which has accompanied Onassis in business and in love for so long, suddenly turns away from him. His financial empire began to crumble. He was forced to abandon the operation of a third of his fleet and the construction of new supertankers already ordered. In addition, another of his offspring, the Olympic Airways airline, was under the threat of bankruptcy.

Some ominous fate began to haunt his family and relatives. In January 1973, his son Alexander died in a plane crash (he himself was at the helm), who adored the sky as much as his father loved the sea. In one night after the news of the death of his son, Onassis turned into an old man. In the same fateful year of 1973, Tina, his first wife, passed away, believed to be due to a drug overdose. Daughter Christina, who hated Jacqueline, finally quarreled with her, ran away from home and married an elderly womanizer.

Yes, and Jacqueline, as it turned out, is not the ideal that Onassis was looking for. If at the beginning of the marriage he did not see anything reprehensible in the huge expenses of his wife, admired her irresistible beauty, femininity and charm, and complacently said: “She suffered a lot, let her buy what she wants now,” then over time, enthusiasm subsided. As bills grew, Onassis became less and less generous: “What is she doing with all these rags? - now he asked. "I've never seen her in anything other than jeans." Onassis was not very pleased with the pictures of his wife in tabloid magazines: somehow the paparazzi even captured Mrs. Kennedy - Onassis in the nude.

But Jacqueline dealt him the strongest blow when, in February 1970, her intimate letter to her previous lover Rodzwill Gilpatrick, written during her honeymoon with Onassis, was published in American newspapers. “... I remember everything,” she wrote, “what we talked about, dear Ros. I think that you also understand what place you occupied, occupy and will occupy in my life. Loving you Jackie. Onassis was furious: “God, what a laughingstock I have made myself!”

Disappointed in his wife, Onassis even hired a lawyer to start the divorce proceedings. But the tragic death of Alexander pushed everything else into the background. Onassis is tired of fighting. From a cheerful and energetic businessman and ardent lover, he turned into a decrepit old man who was overcome by all sorts of ailments. Broken by illness and grief, Aristotle Onassis died on March 15, 1975 in an American hospital in Paris, nine months before his 70th birthday.

Thus ended his earthly days a man whose life and deeds were compared by journalists with the deeds of a real monarch. True, Onassis himself said that in the world in which he was born and raised, there is something more important and significant than a scepter, a crown or a presidential chair. And he gave his favorite commandment, which he followed all his life: “The only thing that is taken into account today is money. Those who possess them are the real kings of our day."

Aristotle Onassis divided his millions between his 24-year-old daughter Christina and a foundation established in memory of his son who died in a plane crash. Jacqueline was not even mentioned in the will. After eighteen months of hard-fought negotiations with Christina Onassis, she received only $26 million, while agreeing to completely cut ties with the Onassis family.

Immediately after the death of her second husband, Jacqueline, whom Christina called the “black widow that brings misfortune,” made an official statement: “Aristotle Onassis saved me at the moment when my life was plunged into darkness. He meant a lot to me. Together we experienced wonderful moments that I will never forget and for which I am forever grateful to him.

Still in the public eye, Jacqueline fiercely defended her private life from the annoying press, in which the famous jeweler, the owner of the South African diamond mines, Maurice Tempelsman, appeared. The ex-wife survived Onassis for twenty years and died in early spring 1994 from cancer of the lymph glands, having managed to become a grandmother twice. But in the memory of Americans, this amazing woman remained not as Mrs. Onassis, but as Jacqueline Kennedy.

And Christina Onassis, who changed several husbands and led a rather hectic life, died in November 1988. The police found the body of the daughter of a Greek tycoon in the house of her school friend. Doctors declared death from a heart attack, but Christina's acquaintances and friends believe that she took too much drugs.

As for Maria Callas, the shock of the breakup with Onassis turned out to be so strong for her that she lost her magnificent voice. And what could be worse for such a great singer like her?! Maria spoke bitterly about the connection between Aristotle and Jacqueline: “He collects famous women. He followed me because I'm famous. Now he has found an object more suited to his vanity - the widow of the President of the United States! And I lost everything, like Medea, the heroine of my most beloved opera, believing in his Love!” Although after Onassis's marriage they continued to meet, she never forgave his betrayal. The tabloid press even reported that Maria allegedly cursed her lover for treason and for the death of their unborn child.

Maria Callas died at the end of 1977 at the age of 53. She ended her earthly days living in a luxurious Parisian apartment in complete solitude, which was brightened up only by two poodles. And since Callas did not leave a will, the $ 12 million earned by the singer, ironically, but in strict accordance with the law, went to the people whom she loved least of all - her mother and husband.

The last of the Onassis family - Christina's daughter Athena Roussel - at the age of three inherited her grandfather's huge empire and went down in history as the youngest billionaire. She lives in France with her father and guardian, businessman Terry Roussel.

To date, Athena is the most enviable party for high-society bride hunters. The most representative suitors of the world have long been paying no attention to fashion models, fashion models and other beauties, thinking only that on January 30, 2003, Athena turned 18 years old, and she became the owner of a billion-dollar fortune.

Athena herself once admitted that if she ever gets her grandfather's billions, she will immediately donate them to charity, and leave herself a mere trifle - twenty million, so as not to depend on anyone, and go somewhere in the countryside to breed horses.

You can believe it if you want. True, on one condition - unless the young Athena inherited the indomitable energy of her mother and grandfather.

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For business representatives, billionaire Aristotle Onassis, biography and personal life which will be presented to your attention in the article, has become a symbol of success, a guide in a sea of ​​opportunities. With a hundred dollars in his pocket, following his intuition and timely entering the game, he built his own profitable empire, leaving behind a fortune of $ 5 billion.

Billionaire Aristotle Onassis lived a long, colorful life, leaving a mark on the history of several countries. About his success in financial affairs and in conquering the most beautiful women that time there were legends.

The great tycoon also bequeathed an interesting intellectual legacy. The most famous quotes by Aristotle Onassis about business, which have become practically a set of rules for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Origin: businessman by blood

The life of A. Onassis fell on a difficult period in world history, which greatly affected his fate.

According to the biography, Aristotle Onassis was born on January 15, 1906 in Smyrna (a city on the territory Ottoman Empire, today - Izmir, Turkey) and came from the family of a wealthy businessman Socrates Onassis.

The boy was not a diligent student: he finished only six classes, constantly changing schools and teachers. Driven by an active character, he did not want to spend his days at his desk, comprehending theory. He preferred to learn everything in practice, so he came up with different activities for himself.

The father of the future financial magnate was a tobacco trader, and Aristotle showed an interest in running the family business from an early age. He helped his father and delved into the details, thereby trying to win the love of a strict parent. But more often he received only reproaches and criticism.

Family Rescue

The youth of the famous Greek fell on the war, which played a decisive role in his fate. In 1922, power changed in his hometown: Greece was defeated and left Smyrna at the mercy of the Turkish troops. The city was plundered, severely destroyed, and the Greeks living there were either killed or captured and imprisoned.

The misfortune also affected the Onassis family: during the ethnic cleansing, several relatives of Aristotle were killed or burned alive. The fortune acquired by the labors of his father turned to dust, and the parents and sister of the future businessman were captured by the Turks.

At this time, the future billionaire Aristotle Onassis begins to understand that in this world money is capable of, if not everything, then a lot. He ransomed his mother and sister from prison, who went on evacuation to Greece.

Rescuing his father was more difficult, since Socrates was already in a concentration camp at that time. By selling the family business in parts, Aristotle was able to free it. True, the father was beside himself with anger when he learned that the heir had led him to bankruptcy. And kicked the guy out of the house.

Early Successes: Tobacco for an Argentine Singer

The family of the enterprising Greek remained in Greece, and he went to seek a better fate for himself and his loved ones - to Argentina. With him, a 17-year-old guy had only $ 63 and a strong desire to become free and wealthy.

On the way to the first million, Aristotle had to work in different positions just to survive: he was a laborer, a waiter, a dishwasher, a fruit seller.

But already in this difficult period, the future great tycoon Aristotle Onassis found a way to earn extra money. A night job at the telephone company gave him a valuable tool for financial gain: information. Connecting at night through telephone lines strangers to him, the young man became the owner of important information that he sold during the day.

The second step to success was his work as a waiter. Being attentive and observant, Aristotle Onassis noted the love of Argentines for strong tobacco. He ordered a small batch from his father, packaged the product in a tempting wrapper, and waited for an opportunity to start a profitable business.

The opportunity presented itself: in one of his shifts at the Las Tres Palabras restaurant, Aristotle met the famous Argentine singer Carlos Gardel. He treated the famous visitor to a cigar - and this was the beginning of a flourishing trade. The singer liked the tobacco so much that he immediately placed a large order.

The difficult path from the seller to the consul

In just a month, Onassis' tobacco products, called Melange Gardel, have become one of the most popular brands in South America. On the main street of the Argentine capital, a tobacco shop successfully began to operate, which was supplied by Aristotle's father.

The existing competition was quickly eliminated: bribery and sabotage were used. Stench was secretly mixed into the products of other factories, which brought Onassis even more profit. For two years, the income of the future tycoon amounted to 600 thousand dollars. He was sure of success.

The tobacco business became the starting point for Aristotle Onassis on the path to wealth and power. He was well aware that without connections in the highest circles, without influential friends, it would be impossible to achieve his goals. He worked hard - and at the age of 25 he was already able to earn his first million dollars. Remembering the power of money, Onassis effortlessly made his way upstairs: he practically bought the post of consul of Greece, the country's representative in Argentina. The doors to higher circles were now open to him.

Merchant navy

The new position prompted Aristotle Onassis to new ideas: he talked a lot with shipping companies and understood the prospects that opened before him. Trucking was the next step to wealth, for which he once left his family and went to Argentina.

It was 1932, the height of the Great Depression. Many found themselves in a difficult situation: on the eve of bankruptcy, entrepreneurs had to sell property at ridiculous prices.

It was at this time that Aristotle Onassis (the photo of the billionaire is presented to your attention in the article) bought his first ships from a bankrupt Canadian company. Costing more than a million dollars each, the six cargo ships were sold for just $120,000. The formation of the famous merchant fleet of Onassis began.

These acquisitions brought him income, until ships of greater carrying capacity began to be launched from the shipyards. The tycoon also bought them, meanwhile preparing for new investments.

Money doesn't smell: oil for war

Onassis's intuition suggested: the flaring Second World War, if prepared in time for it, can bring a huge income. Putting this idea into practice, in 1938, the first tanker was manufactured to his order. In this he was helped by a connection with Ingeborg Dedihen, the daughter of a major Norwegian shipowner. Onassis's tanker was almost twice as large as the traditional one: it took 15 tons instead of the usual 9. But the Greek did not stop there: he soon continued investing in this area and bought two more similar vessels.

In the late 40s, these investments were very risky: because of the war, trade in the world practically froze. But Onassis was patient: in 1940, when the war was already in full swing, orders for the transportation of oil finally appeared.

During this time, Ingeborg convinced her father to invest in Aristotle's business. And Onassis was able to go to the United States of America, which promised new opportunities and prosperity. Having overcome a difficult path in wartime, the Greek immediately set about implementing his plans to increase the fleet with double energy.

However, under US law, foreigners did not have the right to buy strategic objects, which included certain categories of ships. But Aristotle circumvented the law quite easily: through front men and fictitious companies that formally belonged to the Americans, he was able to buy 10 supertankers at once.

While due to hostilities, dozens of ships from the warring countries went to the bottom, the magnate became the owner of a huge fleet. In fact, only Onassis left the tankers - and he supplied oil to all interested parties, not shying away from doing business even with the Nazis. The fleet proved to be one of Aristotle's most successful investments.

Business of the 60s: successes and failures

Even with an impressive fortune, Aristotle Onassis still worked hard in the 60s.

In just a few months, he was able to purchase 17 tankers at once, which significantly increased his merchant fleet.

In 1953, Aristotle bought a controlling interest in the Societe des Bains de Mer and extended his influence to the Principality of Monaco. SBM owned not only luxurious hotels and theaters, but also a casino in Monte Carlo. Onassis literally turned into the shadow king of Monaco: his company owned real estate, an area equal to a third of the territory of the entire state.

One of the successful projects of the magnate in the late 60s was the revival of the Olympic Air airline, which the Greek government offered him to lead on a concession basis. Under the leadership of a brave and smart Greek, Olympic quickly got on its feet and began to generate income.

On the business path of the billionaire, of course, there were also unsuccessful projects: for example, the whaling company quickly closed because it hit the reputation of the entire Onassis empire too hard.

Quiet family haven

The tycoon's personal life was as turbulent as his entrepreneurial activity, and the mistresses and wives of Aristotle Onassis are bright and sometimes famous persons.

Being already an accomplished and wealthy man, Onassis thought about creating a family and the birth of the heirs of his empire. He wanted to marry exclusively a Greek woman, so he proposed to Athena Livanos, the daughter of a large shipowner, his direct business competitor Stavros Livanos. The bride was only 17 years old, and she had all the qualities that a businessman appreciated in a woman.

However, Stavros did not agree to marriage, considering Onassis to be an old and windy man due to numerous love affairs. But Aristotle insisted on his own, convincing the future father-in-law of the financial benefits of such an alliance.

In 1946 he married Athena, who had been a submissive and obedient wife for a long time. Everything went as Onassis planned: a year after the marriage, he had an heir, Alexander.

Absorbed by his empire, the magnate spent little time with his family. Therefore, when the wife became pregnant again, he was against the second child. He already had an heir - he did not dream of more. But Athena did not have an abortion - they had a daughter, Christina, very similar to her already quite influential father.

Both children were left to their own devices, Aristotle had no time to educate them. Also, like his own father, he often hid his feelings behind harsh treatment. Despite this, he loved his son and daughter very much. In honor of the latter, the famous yacht of the financial magnate was named - "Christina" was practically a houseboat with all the amenities and services on board.

Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis: a love story

Family life was briefly able to pacify the passionate nature of the Greek. Small intrigues that he periodically started on the side were not considered something serious that interfered with an exemplary marriage. Submissive Athena tolerated this behavior of her husband.

But in 1958, a divorce became inevitable: on a family vacation in Venice, Onassis met Maria Callas, a famous opera singer. The stormy romance that followed, which was widely covered in the press, pushed Athena to break with her husband.

Maria Callas passionately loved Aristotle and dreamed of marrying him. But even having become pregnant from him, she could not carry out her plans. For Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas was just another affair.

As a result, he forced his mistress to have an abortion. After a severe abortion, Maria was no longer able to return to the stage, having lost her voice. She never remarried, spending her life practically a recluse.

Kennedy vs. Onassis

The second wife (and widow) of a wealthy Greek was another famous woman of that time - Jacqueline Kennedy. This marriage symbolized the victory of Onassis over the hostile family of the 35th American President of the United States.

In 1959, at a reception, the Greek billionaire met John F. Kennedy's brother Robert. Mutual hostility arose immediately: Bobby at that time was an ardent fighter against crime and suspected an influential Greek of financial fraud. The hostility turned into hatred when Robert Kennedy began to dig into the details of the tanker deal, concluded by Onassis through shell companies. The case went so far that the United States issued an order to arrest any of his ships as soon as they entered an American port.

Aristotle this time got away from the blow: money still decided everything. He paid a $7 million fine, which only added to the intensity of his hatred of the Kennedy family. The vendetta was declared and the two families watched each other very closely.

Seduction: The President's Spouse

Aristotle first got close to the Kennedy brothers when he met Caroline, Jacqueline's sister. In 1963, he invited her to his luxurious yacht and charmed her by deciding to marry a woman in spite of her enemies. The Kennedys kept a wary eye on the development of the relationship, expecting a blow.

And he followed: after meeting the charismatic Greek, the wife of the President of the United States agreed to visit his yacht. For the billionaire, this was a victory, and Jacqueline, knowing about her husband's dislike for the magnate, enjoyed the effect. By that time, Jackie was already pretty tired of her husband's betrayals and his absolute indifference. Neither the persuasion of John and Robert, nor the telephone threats could prevent the rapprochement between Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis looked after her beautifully, giving her the opportunity to use all the amenities of his yacht, presented expensive jewelry: for example, he gave the president's wife a bracelet worth 80 thousand dollars.

After Jacqueline Kennedy recalled that she succumbed to the courtship of an elderly Greek, because she felt like a woman with him, loved and desired, which had not been in their relationship with her husband for a long time.

So even during the life of John F. Kennedy began an affair of his wife with a rich Greek. Onassis thereby took revenge on the president's family, and Jackie was able to pay off her husband for years of humiliation and indifference.

Marriage for mutual benefit

When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, new opportunities opened up for Aristotle. By becoming the husband of the widow of an American president, he could enter her circle of friends, thereby increasing his influence. Only John's brother could prevent Jackie's new marriage, but Robert was soon killed as well.

Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis got married five years after the high-profile assassination of the US President. In fact, the marriage was not real: they even lived in different countries.

The fictitious marital relationship suited both parties: Jackie got access to the huge fortune of Onassis, and Aristotle, thanks to her connections, strengthened his position in the highest circles. According to the marriage contract, Jacqueline did not have the right to become pregnant, but for this she received a substantial amount of $ 3 million in her account. Aristotle Onassis, whose photo you have the opportunity to see in the article, provided money for her children.

three deaths

As evidenced by the biography, Aristotle Onassis achieved unprecedented influence by the end of the 60s. His business prospered, he enjoyed freedom and women. But soon he was overtaken by a series of tragic events that overshadowed the last years of his life.

In 1973, having got into a plane crash, the son of Aristotle Onassis died. The death was mysterious, because Alexander, who was sitting at the helm, was an experienced pilot, and the plane, according to the preflight inspection, was in excellent condition.

A few months later, unable to bear what happened, the first wife of Onassis, Athena, committed suicide. This was a new blow to the already undermined health of the magnate.

He spent a lot of time alone, became seriously ill with myasthenia gravis, due to which he gradually lost the ability to control somatic muscles. This depressed him more and more. No amount of money could cure him.

On March 15, 1975, the billionaire died alone in a Paris hospital. The cause of death of Aristotle Onassis was a long illness and loss of strength. His daughter and heiress Christina transported her father's body to the island of Skopios, where he was buried next to his son.

The fortune of Aristotle Onassis after his death was estimated at an impressive amount: from 3 to 5 billion dollars. Two-thirds of it was inherited by Christina, the rest, at the behest of the great Greek, was given to charity.

Intellectual Heritage: Quotes by Aristotle Onassis

Having left a noticeable mark in the history of several countries, the billionaire bequeathed to future generations the knowledge of doing business that led him to such outstanding success.

His thoughts about running his own business and making a profit often coincided with the sayings of other wealthy contemporaries, such as Rockefeller. Both tycoons agreed that the first million dollars was the hardest to make.

If you are striving for success, then don't waste time reading about how others have succeeded. It is better to live your own life than to be interested in how others did it.

The great Greek said that it is important to learn how to work in any conditions, because calm times are unlikely to ever come. According to Aristotle, in order to become successful in the future, one should look successful in the present. Even if on this moment there are no funds for this. He advised me to sleep less and stop complaining about my difficulties.

Free yourself from the hope that the sea will ever calm down. We must learn to sail in strong winds.

No less remarkable was the opinion of the billionaire about the meaning of all the efforts he made to increase his own fortune. He believed that money would mean nothing if there were no beloved women in the world and in his life.

Don't sleep much. If you sleep 3 hours less each night of the year, you will have an extra month and a half to succeed.

The thoughts expressed and written down by Aristotle Onassis, even today, can serve as a set of rules for entrepreneurs who dream of conquering the financial Olympus.

admitted that he never forgave his father for this marriage.

In 1922 on Smyrna The Turks attacked and exterminated half of the Greek population in it. Socrates was imprisoned and all his property was confiscated. Sixteen-year-old Aristotle managed to stay at large. After a while, he establishes contact with old acquaintances and begins to sell alcohol. Having saved up money, he rescues his father from prison and moves with him to Greece.

In September 1923, Aristotle went to Argentina with $100 in his pocket in search of a better life.

Business

Onassis decides to stay in Buenos Aires, where he first works as a street vendor, and then gets a job at a telephone company. "British United River" for a clerkship. At the station, he worked at night, slept until noon during the day, after which he went to sell other people's "secrets" that he managed to eavesdrop on the working switchboard. Thus, Ari managed to "earn" several thousand dollars.

Aristotle almost immediately noticed that there were no oriental varieties of tobacco on the shelves of Buenos Aires. He asked his father to send him a small batch of tobacco products from Greece. Then he began to offer the received goods to Argentine tobacco sellers. At first, almost no one was interested in his product. After a while, Onassis meets with the head of a tobacco company, whose name was Juan Gaona, and invites him to evaluate the taste of oriental tobacco. Gaon liked the cigarettes and decides to place a trial order for $10,000. Orders for $50,000 followed. After successful transactions, Onassis opens a store with a sign "Oriental Tobacco Importer" at 332 Caplet Viamonte Street. Despite the fact that the tobacco business brought good profits, Aristotle continued to work for some time at the telephone exchange. After a while, he begins to produce his own cigarettes called " Ossman" And " primeros».

In 1928, the Greek government notices Onassis and invites him to take the post of ambassador, he, of course, agrees. There is also a version that he acquired this post for a very impressive amount. After all, becoming a diplomat, he became inviolable, and besides this, new business horizons opened before him. He quite often had to act as an arbiter when the owners of the Greek ships had a controversial situation with the Argentine port workers. Thanks to this, he learned to perfectly navigate the intricacies of shipping.

By 1929, at the age of 25, Aristotle earns his first million. Later he said:

"The first million is the hardest to earn"

Many biographers are sure that Onassis made his money not on tobacco, but on drugs that he smuggled to America under the guise of a cigarette business.

In 1932, Aristotle buys the first six cargo ships for a symbolic price of $120,000. Shipping transport at that time was very cheap, since America was in an economic crisis, almost all trade froze there, ships stood still, because they had nothing to transport.

In 1938, Ari builds his first 15-ton oil supertanker (at that time the largest were 9 tons). Construction is carried out on credit funds that were taken on bail. It is generally accepted that it was Onassis who first began to create a fleet of supertankers. By the beginning of World War II, he acquires two more huge tankers. His fleet grew throughout the 40s and 50s. In 1950 alone, he purchased 17 new tankers in one year.

In 1953 Aristotle Onassis buys a real estate package

Scorpios Island

« Societe de Bains de Mer» for $ 1 million, into it

included a casino in Monte Carlo, theaters, hotels and other real estate.

From 1957 to 1974, Aristotle became the owner of the Greek national airline Olimpic Airways.

1962nd. The Golden Greek buys the island of Skorpios.

Family and Children

Onassis and Tina Livanos

1946th. Onassis, at the age of 40, marries 16-year-old Tina Livanos, daughter of the famous ship magnate Stavros Livanos. In this marriage, the Onassis had two children: son Alexander and daughter Christina. In honor of his daughter, Aristotle named his luxurious yacht, which looked more like a floating palace.

In 1960, the marriage of Aristotle and Tyna ended in divorce, which was due to a stormy romance " Greek with Maria Callas.

1968 Onassis marries the widow of US President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy. This marriage lasted less than a year. Aristotle wanted to return back to Mary, but she did not accept him, but cursed. The curse came true. In 1973, at the age of 25, his only son Alexander died in a plane crash. A year later, his first wife Tina passes away from an overdose of sleeping pills. Aristotle Onassis himself died of a rare nervous disease, myasthenia gravis, in 1975, before he was 70 years old. He was buried on his beloved island of Skorpios next to his son Alexander. Christina Onassis dies in 1988, at the age of 37, like her mother, from an overdose of sleeping pills. There is speculation that she was poisoned.

State

After the death of Christina, the entire fortune passed to her daughter, Athena Roussel. In 2003, Athena turned 18, after which she immediately inherited all the property that her grandfather had earned. It is estimated from 2 to 14 billion dollars. There were reports in the press that Athena transferred the bulk of the funds to charitable accounts, and left herself a little, 40 million.

Relax, game:

Aristotle Onassis

1958th. With Maria Callas, whom Onassis could fall in love with even the blind; a year before the "official" start of the novel.

With Gina Lollobrigida at a ball in Venice.

May 22, 1955 God and the Beast Aristotle Onassis aboard his legendary, monstrously chic yacht Christina.

1955th. Photo taken in the "homeland of the ancestors" of Onassis - in Greece.

1954th. With daughter Christina.

Photo from one of Onassis' signature Parisian parties; on the left is the Italian movie star Elsa Martinelli.

1956th. In Monte Carlo.

December 1964 With Elizabeth Taylor at the Paris Lido.

First half of the 1950s. With son Alexander and wife Tina, who soon broke up with Aristotle because of his "psychological cruelty."

Only the odyssey of Aristotle Onassis did not last twenty years, like the wanderings of King Ithaca, but all his life.

At the age of 17, the sea took Onassis from Smyrna, torn apart by Turkish troops, to Argentina, where he caught his luck, having become rich in the Turkish tobacco trade. The sea made him the richest man on earth.

Its largest private merchant fleet in the world grew from six bulk carriers bought on the cheap ($120,000 per lap) in 1932 to hundreds of ships, including 117 tankers. And this is not counting the other components of his vast and maximally anonymous empire: airlines and shipyards, oil refineries and castles, 85 front companies and the islands of Skorpios and Sparti, and no one, but the state of Monaco. He bought the principality in 1953, along with a controlling stake in the Sea Bathing Society, which managed gambling and real estate. But it was not in vain that the blood of pirates flowed in the veins of Prince Rainier: in 13 years he would gracefully get rid of Onassis. The then lost 22 million were a trifle for Aristotle: he had not been looking for money for a long time, they themselves fawned over him. Yes, and control over Monaco has fully fulfilled its function. It became a pass for the merchant's son to the international jet-set.

He owes his kinship with the sea element to an affair with the first of the beauties, whose bodies were not only sweet prey for the insatiable, bisexual satire, but also steps to power: “You should even enjoy yourself for your own benefit.” In the bed of the blond beast Ingeborg Dediken, the daughter of the owner of the Swedish whaling fleet, he climbed into the late 1930s, hiring her as a swimming instructor: the only time in history when a specific millionaire did such a job.

At sea, he spent the last 25 years of his life - on board the 99-meter yacht Christina, on which Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly were honored to visit.

The yacht was bought for 50 thousand, refitted for four million, marble, mosaics, golden taps, a pool that transforms into a dance floor, stools covered with the skin of a whale's penis - with unbearable luxury he supplanted the humiliating memory of his first voyage, smelly, red-hot, full of beggars emigrants in the hold of a freighter, whose crew allowed him to hastily wash himself for $10 baksheesh. The fact that the yacht was called the apotheosis of bad taste, Onassis did not care. The category of taste begins to work where you can compare something with something. Compare "Christina" was simply nothing.

No need to build illusions. No matter how majestic the names of Onassis's relatives were, by the beginning of the 20th century only names remained from the gods, heroes, philosophers of Hellas. Completely different Greeks lived in Smyrna: they stood too firmly on the ground, devoid of sentiment. Eduard Bagritsky wrote about such Greeks: “On the fish, on the stars // Carrying a scow: // Three Greeks to Odessa // They are smuggling. // On the starboard side, // What has grown over the abyss: // Yanaki, Stavraki, // Papa Satyros.

Socrates, redeemed by Aristotle from the Turkish concentration camp, with the last words covered his son, who laid out the money without bargaining. Teasing his shadow, Onassis will order the captain of the Christina, bursting with provisions, to change course in order to have a bite to eat on the shore: a plate of spaghetti cost 60 thousand dollars. But he was still the son of Socrates. He beat women like a peasant, even Maria Callas, even Jacqueline Kennedy. He developed an ingenious scheme: he did not spend a single cent on the purchase of ships, only loans received on fantastically favorable terms. He preferred old, familiar T-shirts and trousers to expensive suits. Although he demanded that his shirts, wherever he was, be given to the one and only Athenian laundry.

"Hey Black Sea! A thief on a thief." In the 1920s, rival tobacco dealers called him a bandit in their hearts: when he entered their shops, he secretly injected a smelly substance into cigarette packs. The idealists are a monster that profited from blood: he supplied the warring countries with oil in all conflicts. During World War II, he worked for the US Army and worked through intermediaries with the Nazis. The compromising material that the FBI dug up on him would be enough for ten people: the abuse of diplomatic immunity, that is, the post of the Greek consul in Buenos Aires bought on the occasion, transactions on forged documents, fraud with insurance. three countries South America declared him a pirate for robbery whaling.

But even in the "black" incarnation, he was number one. Possibly the most dangerous person on earth. The photographs are dangerous. This is a combination of a gloomy look from under heavy eyelids and a dazzling smile. At the wedding with Jacqueline: a feigned embarrassment tilt of the head, making him even lower, especially compared to the bride. At some reception: a face petrified in a grimace of contempt for those present. And even the complacency of the not yet old patriarch in the family circle implies a threat: no one should not only stand in the way, but even disturb this person. He is very similar to someone, the similarity is disturbing until you guess: the spitting image of Don Corleone.

And yet the richest dangerous man era was a god from the Olympus of the twentieth century - the Olympus of power, money and glory. “The second death of Kennedy”: this is how American newspapers commented on his marriage to Jacqueline, unable to understand how the polished beauty got along with a clumsy dork who was fit for her father. His children from his first marriage, no less than the Yankees, resented the marriage, calling Jacqueline a "black widow."

Meanwhile, their union is completely logical. The widow of the President of the United States can only marry the richest man in the world. The richest man can only marry the president's widow. Nothing else is given. Sexual attraction does not contradict the marriage contract, out of 100 points of which only one did not concern finances: Jacqueline pledged not to become pregnant. But she did not promise to resist clinical squandering, which amazed even her husband.

All the connections of Onassis are subject to the logic of Olympus. He succeeded in trading when the "king of tango" Carlos Gardel admired the cigar presented to him. Probably a legend, but only the "king" could bless the future "emperor". In the 1940s, he tried all the stars of Hollywood, as in the 1920s, working for the British telephone company, he tried all the telephone operators.

Only Greta Garbo did not give him, as the Greek himself spoke vainly: only the “first lady” of the screen could refuse him, and not some Veronica Lake.

There is something genuinely touching about his romance with Maria Callas. Like: we are all Greeks, we all break dishes and dance sirtaki. But more important than blood and temperament is that Callas is an incomparable opera diva.

According to the most banal laws of drama, everything goes to hell in the last years of Onassis's life. No, litigation and loss of assets were not new: the empire endured and not like that. As usual, the family went rogue. On January 21, 1973, his beloved 24-year-old son Alexander died at the airport in Athens, who was just entering the taste of business: someone deliberately damaged his plane. On September 10, Tina died, the first wife of Onassis, in her second marriage, the Marquise of Blandford. Either it was the fact that their 23-year-old daughter Kristina is a drug addict that killed her, or she committed suicide.

Aristotle Onassis:

Chronology of power, women, money and fame

In the Turkish city of Smyrna, inhabited mainly by Greeks, a son, Aristotle, was born in the family of a merchant and banker Socrates Onassis. Later, Aristotle, receiving an Argentine residence permit, forged documents, "aging" for six years. At school, he studies poorly: the main achievement of an early matured boy is the seduction of a French teacher.

May, 1925

Onassis opens a tobacco shop in Buenos Aires, investing $25,000 in savings and $25,000 borrowed. Tobacco is sent by the father: the son takes 5% commission. Osman and Primeros cigarettes (cellophane wrapper, gold and pink tips) make a splash. By 1929, he will earn the first million, in 1932 he will become a shipowner. In 1938, his first tanker would deliver oil from San Francisco to Yokohama, vital to Japan at war.

June, 1959

In Venice, at a ball at the Countess of Castelbarco, Onassis begins an affair with Maria Callas. Tina Livanos, 30, the tycoon's wife since 1946, is divorcing him because of his "psychological cruelty." For nine years, Aristotle and Callas live in Paris on the Avenue Foch. If the singer gives an interview about their imminent marriage, he immediately refutes it. After the breakup, Callas loses his voice, but back in 1970 he secretly met with Onassis.

Onassis marries Jacqueline Kennedy. They have known each other since the summer of 1963, when on board the Christina, the wife of the President of the United States calmed her nerves after the death of a newborn child. In order to deliver the bride with her retinue to Greece, 85 passengers of the airline owned by Onassis were asked to leave the board ready for takeoff.

Onassis dies in the Neuilly clinic in Paris from bronchial pneumonia. They say that, upon learning of his death, Jacqueline first called one of the most expensive fashion designers to order a mourning dress. The family will pay her 26 million compensation on the condition that she never disturbs them again. Aristotle is buried on his island of Skorpios.

Athena Roussel, granddaughter of Onassis, turned 18 and took over for the most part grandfather's fortune, estimated at $5 to $14 billion. Her mother, Kristina, unsuccessfully married five times, including to a Soviet sailor, and died on November 19, 1988 in Buenos Aires, according to rumors, from an overdose. Athena, the richest bride in the world, promised to give money to those in need, leaving forty million to breed horses.