French billionaire politician Olivier Dassault killed in helicopter crash

French billionaire politician Olivier Dassault killed in helicopter crash

French billionaire Olivier Dassault died Sunday in a helicopter crash, a police source said, and President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the 69-year-old conservative politician.

Dassault was the eldest son of the late French billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault, whose namesake Dassault Aviation builds the Rafale warplanes and owns the newspaper Le Figaro.

“Olivier Dassault loved France. Captain of industry, legislator, local elected official, reserve commander in the air force: during his life he never stopped serving our country, valuing its assets. His sudden death is a great loss. Thoughts about his family and loved ones, ”Macron said on Twitter.

Olivier Dassault aimait la France. Capitaine d’industrie, député, el local, commandant de réserve dans l’armée de l’air: on Friday, the need to serve notre pays, d’en valoriser les atouts. Son décès brutal est un grande perte. Pensées à sa famille et à ses proches.

– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 7, 2021

The private helicopter crashed Sunday afternoon in Normandy, where he has a vacation home, according to a police source. The pilot was also killed. A lawmaker for the conservative Les Republicains party since 2002, Dassault was considered the 361st richest man in the world alongside his two brothers and sister, with a wealth of around 6 billion euros ($ 7.15 billion) inherited in his most of his father. According to the 2020 Forbes Rich List, he resigned his position on the Dassault board due to his political role to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Olivier, considered the favorite of founder Marcel, was once considered the favorite to succeed Serge at the head of the family holding company, but that position went to former Dassault Aviation CEO Charles Edelstenne.

“Great sadness at the news of the sudden passing of Olivier Dassault,” Valerie Pecresse, a conservative politician and president of the Paris region, said on Twitter. “A businessman but also a renowned photographer, he had a passion for politics in his blood, rooted in his Oise department. My warm thoughts to your family. ”