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Ehud Arye Laniado, a 65-year old diamond trader, passed away from a heart attack, A billionaire diamond trader, Ehud Arye Laniado, died while getting a penis enlargement surgery on March 2, 2019. Laniado is regarded as one of the leading experts in valuing diamonds. Find out about him in Ehud Arye Laniado’s wiki.
He Died in Paris, France
Ehud Arye Laniado was born in 1953 and was 65 years old at the time of his death. The Belgian-Israeli businessman was said to be a dual national of his native countries.
According to reports, Laniado went to an unidentified upscale private clinic on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France to undergo male enhancement surgery on Saturday. He, however, suffered fatal complications while under the knife.
Laniado reportedly suffered a heart attack when a substance was injected into his penis. He consequently died of the heart attack during the procedure.
His company, Omega Diamonds, confirmed his passing. The statement hailed him as a “visionary businessman” and said he would be laid to rest in Israel.
The Argentinian, as he was dubbed because he had the countenance of a Tango dancer, had a fairly private personal life. It’s unknown if he has a partner, spouse, or children who survive him.
His Friends State He Had a Napoleon Complex
Laniado’s friends, speaking to Belgian news outlets on the condition of anonymity, claim Laniado was insecure about his lack of height and was the victim of a Napoleon complex. Social media users theorize that his complex drove him to seek male enhancement surgery.
According to one friend, the diamond expert was “always focused on his appearance and how others perceived him.”
His friends also claim that the only time Laniado didn’t feel insecure about his short stature was when he checked his hefty bank balance. He allegedly had his accountant read out his bank statement several times a day.
He Was the World’s Leading Expert on Valuing Diamonds
Laniado was the head honcho of Monaco-based Mercury Diamond and Antwerp, Belgium-based Omega Diamonds. According to his website, he had more than four decades of experience in the diamond business.
By his own account, he was fascinated by the sparkling rocks at a young age and acquired the knowledge he has on his own. He mastered the skill of valuing diamonds before the advent of mapping technologies.
He reportedly started his career as a masseuse at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv. He later moved to Africa in the 1970s, where he got into the diamond trade.
“I built my way up in the industry, starting my career in the African bush buying diamonds on behalf of an Israeli company,” said Laniado. “I moved my family out to the Central African Republic in my early 20s for the job and I later moved to Antwerp where I lived for over 20 years.”
He was a consultant in diamond trading in the biggest markets in the world. He was the one who advised Cora International LLC on its acquisition of the 29.6-carat Blue Moon for $25.6 million in February 2014.
He regularly posted blogs on his website, detailing famous personalities in the diamond industry, advising on investing in diamonds, and breaking down the market.
He Was at the Center of Billion-Dollar Scandal
Laniado’s net worth is not known but his empire is reportedly valued in the billions. Reports say he owned the most expensive penthouse in Monaco that was worth EUR 30.0 million (approximately US$33.7 million). He reportedly also owned a home in Bel Air where he socialized with Hollywood celebrities.
The businessman also had a run-in with authorities in 2013. Belgian authorities investigated Laniado and his business partner, Sylvain Goldberg, for tax evasion on diamonds allegedly illegally imported from Angola.
Laniado avoided a trial by paying a substantial penalty to the tune of EUR 137.7 million (US$154.7 million). However, the duo was still suspected of lying and/or giving incomplete information about some of the diamonds imported. So authorities claimed another EUR 4.0 billion (US$4.5 billion) in taxes and fines.
Two courts dismissed the Belgian customs office claims. However, an appeals court ordered a new trial and Laniado was due to appear in court on March 14.
