Conservative billionaire politician Olivier dassault was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash, French President Emmanuel Macron he said on Twitter.
Dassault, 69, was the eldest son of French billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault, whose group 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 on his family and loved ones, “Macron said on Twitter.
The private helicopter crashed Sunday afternoon in Normandy, where he has a vacation home, according to a police source.
A lawmaker for the conservative Les Republicains party since 2002, Dassault was ranked the 361st richest man in the world alongside his two brothers and sister, according to the 2020 Forbes Rich List.
He resigned his position on the Dassault board due to his political role to avoid any conflict 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 disappearance of Olivier Dassault,” said Valerie Pecresse, a conservative politician who is president of the Paris region, he 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.
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