Off Topic: Death of John Latsis

[kasper]

From:  PWC (thanks to Stevie)

Remember in 1997 Wills (along with Charles and Harry) went in a cruise in the Aegean with three beautiful girls.  Well, the owner of that yacht just died.  Here's the article.

Press Association, April 17, 2003

PRINCE 'VERY SAD' AT DEATH OF SHIPPING TYCOON

The Prince of Wales today spoke of his sadness at the death of his
friend, the Greek shipping magnate John Latsis.

Charles was a frequent guest on the billionaire's luxury yacht
Alexander, the third biggest in the world.

The elderly tycoon, who was in his 90s, was believed to have died at
his Athens home.

Charles holidayed with companion Camilla Parker Bowles and his sons
Prince William and Prince Harry on board Alexander in August 1999 on
a tour of the Greek islands.

The Prince enjoyed regular visits to the 325ft vessel, including a
second honeymoon with Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1991

A St James's Palace spokeswoman said: "The Prince of Wales is very
sad to hear of the death of John Latsis."

Latsis, who had homes in London, Greece and Geneva, Switzerland, was
known to guard his privacy closely and rarely appeared in public.

He tried to keep evidence of his fortune to a minimum, with a
newspaper once describing Bridgewater House, his London residence, as
looking "almost absurdly accessible and a bit scruffy".

The tycoon, who once donated ?1 million to the Prince's Trust,
started out in the dried fruit business.

Buying his first charter boat in 1938, he later diversified by
setting up a property company.

He acquired an oil refinery in the 1960s and branched out in finance
by buying the Deposit Bank from the Onassis family in Geneva.

In 1999, Latsis handed over the empire over to his son, Spiro, who
manages the family fortune, estimated to be ?2.8 billion.

According to Forbes magazine, the family ranked 101 on its list of
the world's richest people in 2003.

Latsis was followed by controversy throughout his career.

His support for Greece's brutal military regime in the 1970s led to
difficulties for the Conservatives two years ago when it was revealed
he had made a ?2 million donation to the party.

He also angered some Greeks by maintaining a close relationship with
Greece's deposed monarch, Constantine.

[tkampenhout]

Who exactly is this person anyways?

[PrincessPreppy]

It says in the article!! he was a friend of Charles who owned the baot that William used for his"love boat" cruise.

[tkampenhout]

I am sure it did say it in there but I did not have time to read it sorry.

[PrincessPreppy]

Well usually u read something before asking questions ,but whatever! no need to be sorry.

[tkampenhout]

I know that. But i wanted to know who he was and did not have time to read the article.