Highlights:
- Olivier Dassault of Dassault Aviation Dies In Helicopter Crash
- Olivier was a French billionaire whose family owns the company which builts the Rafale Jets
- Olivier was the eldest son of late French billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault
French billionaire Olivier Dassault, on Sunday, was killed in a helicopter crash, said a police source, as the French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the 69 year old conservative politician.
Olivier Dassault was the eldest son of late French billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault, whose namesake Dassault Aviation, builds the Rafale warplanes and also owns the Le Figaro newspaper. On Twitter, French President Macron said, “Olivier Dassault loved France. Captain of industry, lawmaker, local elected official, reserve commander in the air force: during his life, he never ceased to serve our country, to value its assets. His sudden death is a great loss. Thoughts on his family and loved ones”, in French.
Olivier Dassault aimait la France. Capitaine d’industrie, député, élu local, commandant de réserve dans l’armée de l’air : sa vie durant, il ne cessa de servir notre pays, d’en valoriser les atouts. Son décès brutal est une grande perte. Pensées à sa famille et à ses proches.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 7, 2021
On Sunday afternoon, the private helicopter crashed in Normandy, where he has a holiday home, as per the police source.
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The helicopter pilot also lost his life in the crash.
Olivier was a lawmaker for the conservative Les Republicains party since the year 2002, and was also considered to be the 361st richest man in the world alongside his two brothers and sister, with a wealth of about € 6 billion ($7.15 billion or more than ₹ 53 thousand crore) which they mostly inherited from his father, according to the 2020 Forbes rich list.
He stepped down from his role on the board of Dassault Aviation because of his political role so he could avoid any conflict of interest.
Olivier, seen as the favourite of founder Marcel, was once considered favoured to succeed Serge at the head of the family holding, but that role went to former Dassault Aviation CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Charles Edelstenne.
A conservative politician, Valerie Pecresse who is also the president of the Paris region said, “Great sadness at the news of the sudden passing of Olivier Dassault,” via Twitter.
“A businessman, but also a renowned photographer, he had a passion for politics in his blood, rooted in his department of Oise. My warm thoughts to his family.”
