WAITED 40 YEARS FOR A WIFE, BUT DEATH STEPS IN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17864, 4 June 1926, Page 10

WAITED 40 YEARS FOR A WIFE, BUT DEATH STEPS IN.

SIR BASIL ZAHAROFF, EUROPE’S “MYSTERY MAN,” RETIRES TO GREAT CHATEAU HEART-BROKEN, HOPELESS.

Basil Zaharotf. the billionaire "mystery man" of Europe, to-day is a hermit in a vast and rambling chateau not far from Paris. Death has dashed the cup of happiness, for which he waited 40-; years, from his lips, dealing a blow which his untold riches were unable to- avert, says a correspondent who • writes from Monte Carlo, on April 14. The death of Madame Zaharoff has brought to light a romance stranger than ever written by Balzac, the story of a poor Greek boy's plighted love for a proud Spanish duchess, which was due to transform him to the world's greatest and most mysterious multi-mil--1 ion a ire! "The destinies of nations are his sport: the movements of armies and the affairs of government are his secret delight." The man about whom Lord Beaverbrook wrote these words was the great Zaharoff, born of poor parents, Greek traders in Constantinople. He went to Athens, picked up many languages and eked out a living as a guide for tourists. One day the agent for the wellknown English munitions firm of Vickers engaged him as interpreter during negotiations that he was carrying on with the Greek Government. Yicker's agent was so impressed with the quali-

ties of the young man that he offered him a place in-London. On the Orient express was travelling a young and beautiful Spanish bride, the Duchess cle Yillafranca de los Caballeros. She, the victim of „a marriage of reason, fell violently in love with the fortune-seeking Athenian. When he bade her a tearful farewell he had his plan of action already laid. Zaharoff proposed a daring and unusual proposition to the directors, of Vickers. He stated that he would accept a slight commission as their Spanish agent, but if he succeeded in securing an order for a million pounds sterling he should be admitted to the board of directors. This offer was accepted. After two months in Spain Zaharoff returned with, an order for warships, ammunitions and artillery for more than five million pounds and was admitted to the firm as had been agreed. The influence of the Duchess had won him his success. But marriage was impossible. She was a Roman Catholic' and would not even entertain the idea of a divorce. Neverthless he was faithful to the vow he had made •in his youth and waited for her 40 years. Meanwhile he had been acquiring mines and steamship companies. The greatest gambling resort in the world, Monte Carlo, became his and he tasted the cold joys of power. He married the Duchess, but 18 months later she died, says the correspondent. The blow has crushed his ambitions and hopes. He has retired a broken man. Monte Carlo has seen him for the last time.