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September 15 2024

Hermès heir awarding 51-year-old gardener Billion Dollar fortune

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This story keeps getting crazier. Last year the heir to Hermès shocked the world by deciding to adopt his gardener to gift them his $11BN fortune. But last week he claimed the money… vanished. Why did he leave it to his gardener? Where did the money go? Here’s what I found:

Puech is a fifth-generation descendant of Thierry Hermès, who founded the luxury fashion house in 1837. It all started as a small, Paris workshop that made horse harnesses. But today, the company is valued at $220 BILLION.

Over time, Hermès evolved and diversified into fashion. Iconic products like the Hermès scarf established the family name as a luxury status symbol.

Fast forward 187 years and 5 generations, Puech plans to pass his estate of $11B to his gardener. All anyone knows about the mystery gardener is that they come from a modest Moroccan family. And this isn’t the first time Puech has made large gifts to them.

He’s already gifted properties in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Montreux, Switzerland – worth a combined $5.9 million. But not everyone is a fan of his generosity…

Initially, Puech planned to donate his entire $11B fortune to the Isocrates Foundation: A small charity for journalism. But then he changed his mind. As you can imagine, he annoyed a number of people with that decision. Including his family…

In 2011 Hermes faced a hostile takeover attempt by LVMH. The family created a private holding to stop this attempt – but one family member didn’t join the holding: Puech. Now he plans to gift his wealth to his gardener, he’s defying the tradition of keeping wealth.

To facilitate the transfer of his wealth, Puech was planning to adopt his 51-year-old gardener to pass on his $13 billion estate. But just last week, the money seems to have vanished. Where did it go?

Puech claims he has no idea. He’s accused his wealth manager, Eric Freymond of “gigantic fraud” in the disappearance of the $13 BILLION in Hermès shares that he was planning to leave his gardener. But the courts didn’t agree with him.

They found that Puech willingly gave Freymond access to his bank accounts, and let him manage his money. And although it’s not certain where the money went, there’s one thing for sure. It’s not likely to go to his gardener anymore.

But I can’t help but think “What if it did go to the gardener?” Put yourself in their shoes. Your life is changed forever – now what..? Puech thought he was doing them a favor, but would he really be helping him? Will the money destroy the gardener’s life and his family?

This story in particular reminds me of a quote: “Wealth is as potent as any sword. When mastered it can bring the world to its knees. When not, it can bring the owner to his knees.”

With wealth, there are repercussions of inheriting that level of power overnight. And it makes you think twice about: how much is a “gift” – and at what level does gifting power actually become a curse?

Building Your Own “Legacy”

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September 1 2024

Forrest Mars: The $96 Billion Dollar Candy King

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When you think of candy, it’s hard not to think of M&M’s, Snickers, or the Mars Bar. These aren’t just sweets—they’re global icons. And behind these beloved treats is a man whose name might not be as famous as his creations but whose impact on the world of confectionery is monumental: Forrest Mars Sr.

From revolutionizing candy production to building a multi-billion-dollar empire, Forrest Mars’s journey is as rich and layered as the chocolate he became famous for. Let’s delve into the life of the man who turned candy-making into a science and a business empire, and whose influence is still felt around the world today.

Early Life: A Rocky Road to Success

Forrest Edward Mars was born on March 21, 1904, in Wadena, Minnesota, to Frank Mars and Ethel Mars. His father, Frank, had founded what would become the Mars Company, starting with small-scale candy production. But life wasn’t sweet for young Forrest. His parents divorced when he was young, and his relationship with his father was often tense, marked by differing views on how to run the business.

Despite the turmoil at home, Forrest was academically gifted. He attended the prestigious Yale University, where he studied industrial engineering. This technical background would later prove invaluable as he expanded his business operations. But after graduation, his ideas clashed with his father’s more traditional approach, leading Forrest to leave the family business and seek his fortune elsewhere.

A New Frontier: Building a Candy Empire in Europe

In the 1930s, Forrest Mars took a bold step by moving to the United Kingdom, where he founded Food Manufacturers Ltd. His first major success came with the creation of the Mars Bar in 1932. Unlike the American Milky Way bar—created by his father—the Mars Bar was specifically tailored to European tastes, with a denser nougat and a sweeter chocolate coating. It became an instant hit, cementing Forrest’s reputation as an innovator.

But Forrest’s true stroke of genius came during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. While observing soldiers eating small chocolate pellets coated in a hard shell (which prevented them from melting in the heat), he saw an opportunity. Partnering with Bruce Murrie, the son of a Hershey executive, he developed M&M’s. Launched in 1941, M&M’s were an immediate success, especially among U.S. soldiers during World War II, who loved their durability and portability.

M&M’s would go on to become a global phenomenon, with annual sales today exceeding $1 billion. The brand’s slogan, “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand,” became as iconic as the candy itself.

Expanding the Empire: From Candy to Global Conglomerate

Forrest Mars was not a man to rest on his laurels. After reconciling with his father and taking over the Mars Company in the 1960s, he transformed the family business into a global conglomerate. His business strategy was aggressive: he expanded the product line to include what are now some of the world’s best-known brands.

In 1967, Mars introduced Twix, a caramel and biscuit bar that quickly became a favorite in both Europe and the United States. In 1974, Mars took Skittles from a small UK product to an international sensation. And then there’s Snickers, which today generates over $2 billion in annual sales, making it the world’s best-selling candy bar.

Forrest also diversified Mars, Inc. beyond candy. Recognizing the growing demand for pet food, he acquired companies like Pedigree and Whiskas, making Mars a dominant player in that industry as well. Today, Mars, Inc. owns more than 50 brands and generates annual revenues exceeding $45 billion, making it one of the largest privately-held companies in the world.

The Man Behind the Candy: A Perfectionist and Innovator

Forrest Mars was known as a demanding leader with an almost obsessive focus on quality. He famously coined the “Five Principles of Mars”—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom—which still guide the company today. He believed in controlling every aspect of production to ensure the highest quality, from sourcing raw materials to the final product on the shelf.

This perfectionism extended to his employees as well. Forrest was known for his strict management style, expecting nothing short of excellence from everyone who worked for him. While this made him a polarizing figure—some admired his relentless drive, while others found him difficult to work with—it was undeniably effective.

A Lasting Legacy: The Billion-Dollar Candy King

Forrest Mars passed away on July 1, 1999, at the age of 95, leaving behind a candy empire that remains a giant in the industry. Mars, Inc. continues to be a family-owned business, with his descendants still involved in its operations. Under Forrest’s leadership, the company grew from a small, regional candy maker into a global powerhouse, with products enjoyed by billions of people around the world.

Today, the Mars family is one of the richest in the world, with a net worth estimated at over $100 billion. But beyond the staggering financial success, Forrest Mars’s true legacy lies in the brands he built—brands that have become woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Whether you’re enjoying a Snickers bar, sharing a bag of M&M’s, or treating your pet to a Pedigree snack, you’re experiencing the lasting influence of a man who turned candy into a global business empire. Forrest Mars didn’t just make candy—he made history, one sweet innovation at a time.

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August 24 2024

The Untold Story of Dan Saunders’ The 1.6 Million ATM Money Glitch”

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In the world of high finance and criminal exploits, few stories are as bizarre and compelling as that of Dan Saunders, an ordinary Australian bartender who stumbled upon an extraordinary loophole. His tale is one of sudden wealth, lavish spending, and the inevitable consequences of living a lie—a story that reads more like a Hollywood script than real life.

The Accidental Discovery

Dan Saunders was just an average guy, working as a bartender in Wangaratta, a small town in Victoria, Australia. His life was unremarkable until one fateful night in February 2011. After a night out drinking, Saunders found himself low on cash and decided to make a withdrawal from an ATM. To his surprise, despite his account being nearly empty, the ATM allowed him to withdraw $200.

Puzzled but intrigued, Saunders began to experiment. He soon discovered that between midnight and 1 AM, the ATM system went offline for a brief period, meaning it didn’t immediately verify account balances with the bank. This glitch allowed him to withdraw money far beyond his actual balance.

A Taste of the High Life

Realizing the potential of his discovery, Saunders began making increasingly larger withdrawals. Over several months, he siphoned off around 1.6 million Australian dollars. With this newfound wealth, Saunders transformed his life overnight. He indulged in all the luxuries that most people only dream of—private jets, five-star hotels, extravagant parties, and expensive gifts for friends and strangers alike.

Saunders didn’t hide his sudden fortune. Instead, he flaunted it, living a life of excess that included chartering a private plane to take friends to the Pacific Island of Fiji for a weekend. He became the life of the party, enjoying the thrill of his new status while sharing his wealth generously.

The Moral Dilemma

But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For Saunders, the fantasy of limitless wealth began to crumble under the weight of guilt and paranoia. He knew that his actions were illegal and that it was only a matter of time before he would be caught.

The psychological toll of living a double life became unbearable. Saunders was constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for the moment when the authorities would catch up with him. The thrill of the heist was replaced by a gnawing sense of dread.

Coming Clean

After nearly five months of living large, Saunders could no longer take the pressure. He decided to turn himself in, confessing his actions to the bank and the police. In 2015, Dan Saunders was sentenced to 12 months in prison for his crimes, followed by two years of probation. He was also ordered to repay the money, though the majority of it had already been spent.

The Aftermath and Legacy

Dan Saunders’ story didn’t end with his prison sentence. His case attracted significant media attention, and he later became something of a folk hero—a man who gamed the system and lived to tell the tale. He appeared on podcasts, including “The Joe Rogan Experience,” where he recounted his extraordinary experience.

However, Saunders is also a cautionary tale. While his story is undoubtedly fascinating, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of easy money and the heavy price of living outside the law. Saunders has expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that the temporary thrill of wealth was not worth the long-term consequences.

In the end, Dan Saunders’ life is a testament to the age-old truth: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. His journey from bartender to millionaire and back again is a compelling narrative of greed, guilt, and the human desire for redemption.

August 22 2024

Billionaire Greek Playboy Flips $60 To $2.3 BILLION!

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The billionaire Greek playboy who seduced Jackie Kennedy. At 16 years old, his father’s wealth-empire was destroyed and his family barely survived a village massacre. But he turned $60 and a job as a phone operator into $2.3 BILLION. This is the story of Aristotle Onassis:

Aristotle Onassis grew up the son of a wealthy shipping entrepreneur – Socrates Onassis. But in August 1922, the Turkish army attacked and destroyed Greek cities and villages. Aristotle and the Onassis family were stripped of their wealth.

Aristotle’s father was imprisoned and his business was transferred to Turkish ownership. The once wealthy family now fled from Smyrna to Greece as refugees. But in 1923, Aristotle left on his own to make a new start in Buenos Aires. He was 17 with just $60 in his pocket.

He arrived in Buenos Aires and found a job as a telephone operator. Aside from income, Aristotle used the job to learn about business by eavesdropping on calls. But in the 1920s, he overheard a business call that would change his life forever.

The phone conversation revealed a business plan: Two men planned to film a main character smoking on screen – one of the first ever cigarette ads of the 1920s. And it gave Aristotle an idea for his own cigarette brand.

Aristotle’s cigarette brand would target the female market. He chose famous opera singer Claudia Muzio as the face of his brand. To get her to smoke his cigarettes, he showed up outside her dressing room with a bouquet of flowers.

Aristotle seduced Claudia Muzio and her alliance made his brand take off. By 25, he was a millionaire. But he saw an even greater revenue potential.

At the height of the Great Depression, everyone was getting out of the shipping business. But Aristotle Onassis bought 2 ships. World War II had just begun, so he registered his fleet of cargo ships to Panama. With that, he gained tax-free status and began building his empire.

Aristotle went on to build one of the world’s largest privately-owned fleets. But he ran into a problem. An oil deal with Saudi Arabia went bad and he lost MILLIONS.

Onassis couldn’t make his loan payments – he even considered selling his fleet of tankers. But in 1957, demand for ocean tankers skyrocketed during the Suez Canal Crisis. Aristotle could set ANY price he wanted. And he made more money than he ever had in his life.

In 1957 alone, Aristotle Onassis made $70 million (about $740 million today.) And that same year: Onassis founded Olympic Airlines, which became a major airline in Greece. He was 1 of ONLY 2 men in the world to own a private airline.

With his status and power, Aristotle also dated many famous women. After having two children with his wife Athina Livanos and an affair with Opera Singer Maria Callas… In the late 60s, he met Jacqueline Kennedy.

They met just months before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. And in 1968, Onassis married Jacqueline Kennedy on his private island. The two were on cloud nine – but the American public was outraged.

Aristotle was at the top of the world – he had power, wealth and romance… But in 1973, he faced a tragic loss. His son Alexander, died in a plane crash. He was deeply distraught.

Just 2 years later at age 69, Aristotle Onassis died in 1975 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. At the time of his death, Onassis had a net worth of $500 million – approximately $2.3 BILLION today.

Some say that the death of his son drove Onassis to an early grave. And while reading about his story, I found this powerful quote from him: “The more you own, the more you know you don’t own.”

And while Aristotle Onassis’s wealth allowed him access to material things most people could only dream of owning… His story is a powerful reminder that even with all the money, power, and privilege in life, there are some things you can never own. Like life, and death.