Danish billionaire passed away
Eccentric billionaire Alex Brask Thomsen has passed away. He did not succeed to get his childhood street named after himself.
Alex Brask Thomsen was 85 years old when he died after a lingering illness. The eccentric billionaire passed away on January 8 at his home in Swiss town Bassins, where he lived alone in spartan lifestyle, surrounded by his collection of Danish 20th Century art.
Thomsen grew up in Copenhagen's Nørrebro quarter where his father ran a paintshop. When he refused to include his son´s name in the shop´s name, young Thomsen abandoned the family business and got involved in the chemicals industry.
He became successful and was able to invest in more ventures, mostly banking, where he earned his enormous fortune.
In 1992 Thomsen became the talk of the town when he offered Copenhagen City a donation of DKK 250 million in exchange of having his childhood street, Nørrebrogade, renamed after him. His offer was politely declined.
Thomson described himself as "a professional speculator" and was not ashamed of his wealth.
"When I was young I thought money was the most important thing in the world," he was quoted as saying. "Now that I´m old I know it´s true."
Thomsen´s three children survive him and say he will be buried in the family graveyard in Nørrebro