Adolf Merckle, a 74 year old billionaire from Germany, killed himself on January 5, 2009. He was hit by a train near his hometown of Blaubeuren, southeast of Stuttgart, Germany last evening.
Merckle, was born into a rich family and was educated as a lawyer, but he spent considerable amounts of time investing. Adolf Merckle’s holding company, VEM Vermoegensverwaltung, had vested interests in pharmaceutical companies, cement companies and auto manufacturing companies.
According to a statement released by his family, he could no longer take the pressures of his investment losses.
“Adolf Merckle lived and worked for his family and his firms. The distress to his firms caused by the financial crisis and the related uncertainties of recent weeks, along with the helplessness of no longer being able to act, broke the passionate family businessman, and he ended his life.”
According to Forbes, Adolf Merckle was estimated to be worth $9.2 billion dollars as of last year.
Investigators said foul play was not a factor in his death.
He’s survived by a wife and four children.
