Rene Rivkin Dead

[Feathers]

Yahoo News Link

Sydney businessman Rene Rivkin has been found dead in his Sydney home.

Police say the 61-year-old was found in a bedroom of the house by a family member at 5:15pm today.

They initially established a crime scene but now say there are no suspicious circumstances.

They are preparing a report for the coroner.

Mr Rivkin was born in the Chinese city of Shanghai and migrated to Sydney with his Russian-Jewish parents in 1951.

He believed he was always blessed with luck and at the age of 14, he was accidentally allocated shares in the float of a broadcasting company.

Mr Rivkin doubled his money, beginning a life-long obsession with stockbroking.

He studied law at Sydney University but started his first company soon after graduating in 1969.

Success fuelled other passions - exotic cars, antiques and cigars.

He was known for entertaining visiting celebrities on his yachts.

In 1985 a business magazine named him 'Stockbroker of the Year'.

But Mr Rivkin was convicted of insider trading in April 2003.

Speaking on ABC TV at the time, he said he was the victim of a witch hunt.

"The fact that it's the greatest injustice in the history of the country makes me feel quite good," he said.

He was to serve nine months of period detention but the sentence was delayed to allow him to undergo treatment for depression and brain tumours.

Mr Rivkin told ABC TV that while he struggled with the depressive disorder hypomania, he was not afraid of death.

"Being an atheist, of course, I don't believe in any afterlife," he said.

"I find it very convenient that all you do is fall asleep and never wake up again.

"There's nothing wrong with that, it doesn't hurt."

Mr Rivkin is survived by his wife Gayle and four sons.

[rag top]

Just saw it on the news. It's a shame to go out like that... condolences to the family that lost their father/husband...

[b2tf]

Just reading about this but ninemsn say it is still unconfirmed - police havent actually said its him. They also said it was at his mothers house, not his.

[Kryton]

i just seen it then on the news update and they say it was him.
bit of a shock really to hear. cant say i really liked the guy much but he did have an eye for making a dollar.
guess he wasnt faking the 'too sick to go to prison' ordeal after all.

[MotherNatureVer2]

The latest news update just said it was suicide ..... I think he just didnt want to go to prision :P

[MO]

Have'nt heard a thing up here.
If its true RIP he was one financial genius.

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by MotherNature

The latest news update just said it was suicide ..... I think he just didnt want to go to prision :P

Thats what I said when I was told.

[Bucknaked]

He lost his licence over the insider trading. After having been in the game since the age of 14, suffering depression, maybe it was the final straw. Oh well, as rich as he was, maybe he can find a little peice.

[Captain Stubing]

I've never met him, so I don't know if I'd have liked him, but I wish I had his understanding of the stockmarket! I think I might have liked him, the way he just smoked them cigars... 'Stuff you, cancer!'

[b2tf]

Yep, just read that it has been confirmed - it was him.

No mention of suicide or foul play, but i dare say it's pretty obvious that he took his own life.

From what i gather he had very little (if any) doings in the finance world anymore, and his jail time had been served.

[JADED6]

He owes me $5

[lv619]

Originally Posted by JADED6

He owes me $5

lol, what a selfish *****... taking his life when he still owes u $5. :gren:

[Dodge]

poor ***** , all that money and he chooses to die from some brought on illness over going to allan bonds second home.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by lv619

lol, what a selfish *****... taking his life when he still owes u $5. :gren:

oh come on...it was sarcasim.

Probably not at the right time, but did you ever know him? People get very personal over people they have never meet or even seen in person most of the time.

Not saying its a light hearted topic, and death is not a nice/funny issue; but lets not bitch over it.
:

[b2tf]

I think he was taking it as a joke!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

I think he was taking it as a joke!

Ok its late and I have work tomorrow morning..:(l..I didn't see the lol.

Either way I stick by my point of people getting depressed over people they have never meet.

Nye Nye's for me...lol
:

[lv619]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

I think he was taking it as a joke!

well hotdog, we have a weiner... LMAO



P.S. My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased...

[eb_5litre]

Well we can still get stock tips...... its just the Rivkin Report will now come with a ouija board.

[sbutler]

Mental illness claims another life, It can make you feel so alone, when there are friends everywere. We lost a great drummer from it not to long ago, & now another guy looses his battle.
It's silent killer.....

[Dodge]

he was a good mentor, and as for his insider trading deal, that was a joke everyone does it , especially in large companies,

[bindi]

I heard on the news this morning - it's been confirmed he was at his mother's house and committed suicide. He was at his mum's cos a month ago his wife had filed for divorce.

What a shame people do that to themselves (suicide).

[Dodge]

she was divorcing to keep some of the estate, same as bond.