Leonardo Farkas: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
changed section name |
No edit summary |
||
| (12 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File: |
[[File:Leonardofarkasklein.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Leonardo Farkas in 2010.]] |
||
'''Leonardo Julio Farkas Klein''' (born March 20, 1967 in [[ |
'''Leonardo Julio Farkas Klein''' (born March 20, 1967 in [[Santiago]]) is a [[Chile]]an businessman and [[philanthropist]] of [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] and [[Jewish]] descent. |
||
==Early years== |
==Early years== |
||
Farkas studied commercial engineering at the [[University of Santiago, Chile]]. In the 1980s, he emigrated to the [[United States]] and made a living working in show business as a piano player while traveling throughout the country. He also worked in several Caribbean cruising companies until the death of his father. Farkas then returned to [[Chile]] to manage the family business. He has stakes in several industries, the [[mining]] sector being the most important.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/americas/20chile.html</ref> |
Farkas studied commercial engineering at the [[University of Santiago, Chile]]. In the 1980s, he emigrated to the [[United States]] and made a living working in show business as a piano player while traveling throughout the country. He also worked in several Caribbean cruising companies until the death of his father. Farkas then returned to [[Chile]] to manage the family business. He has stakes in several industries, the [[mining]] sector being the most important.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/americas/20chile.html</ref> |
||
== |
==Philanthropist== |
||
[[Image:farkas102.jpg]] |
|||
Farkas is widely known in Chile by his appearances in the [[Telethon#Chile|telethon]], a fundraising campaign for handicapped children. Farkas donated hundreds of millions of [[Chilean peso|pesos]], and in 2008, donated 1 billion [[Chilean peso|pesos]] (US$1.5 million approx.), becoming the first individual to donate such amount of money to this campaign (matched hours later by [[José Luis Nazar]] during the same event).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/magazine/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=333089 |title=Teletón finalmente cumple la meta en el Nacional (minuto a minuto) |publisher=Emol.com |date=2008-11-29 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> Farkas is also known by his [[Eccentricity (behavior)|eccentric]] way of handing out [[Banknote|bills]] to by-standers and by tipping exorbitant amounts of money to waiters in restaurants. |
Farkas is widely known in Chile by his appearances in the [[Telethon#Chile|telethon]], a fundraising campaign for handicapped children. Farkas donated hundreds of millions of [[Chilean peso|pesos]], and in 2008, donated 1 billion [[Chilean peso|pesos]] (US$1.5 million approx.), becoming the first individual to donate such amount of money to this campaign (matched hours later by [[José Luis Nazar]] during the same event).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/magazine/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=333089 |title=Teletón finalmente cumple la meta en el Nacional (minuto a minuto) |publisher=Emol.com |date=2008-11-29 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> Farkas is also known by his [[Eccentricity (behavior)|eccentric]] way of handing out [[Banknote|bills]] to by-standers and by tipping exorbitant amounts of money to waiters in restaurants. |
||
==Social Responsibility== |
|||
==Controversy== |
|||
Farkas's company split its Australian partner, the |
|||
A recent [[lawsuit]] has been brought against Farkas by his Australian partners accusing him of illegal appropriation of funds. The lawsuit argues that he has inappropriately used the company’s money for personal charity acts. |
|||
company Admiralty Resources, whose association has brought more |
|||
of a headache the renowned philanthropist and millionaire |
|||
because they did not understand the spirit of solidarity and |
|||
| ⚫ | social responsibility<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Socios/australianos/querellan/popular/empresario/chileno/elpepuint/20081121elpepuint_20/Tes |title=Socios australianos se querellan contra un popular empresario chileno · ELPAÍS.com |publisher=Elpais.com |date= |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> |
||
[[Image:farkas103.jpg]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Farkas has been very critical of the Chilean [[Upper class]], stating that “they’re usually very stingy and [[elitist]]” and don’t do enough to mitigate Chile’s social problems. He has also said that if elected president “all Chileans would have their own house”.<ref name="elpais1">{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/fenomeno/Farkas/seduce/Chile/elpepuintlat/20081120elpepuint_6/Tes |title=El "fenómeno Farkas" seduce a Chile · ELPAÍS.com |publisher=Elpais.com |date= |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> This rhetoric of appealing to the masses of poor people has gained him substantial support among that social group and some harsh criticism from his business peers and local politicians, often labeling him as a “[[Populism|populist]]” in search of some spotlight.<ref name="elpais1"/> |
Farkas has been very critical of the Chilean [[Upper class]], stating that “they’re usually very stingy and [[elitist]]” and don’t do enough to mitigate Chile’s social problems. He has also said that if elected president “all Chileans would have their own house”.<ref name="elpais1">{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/fenomeno/Farkas/seduce/Chile/elpepuintlat/20081120elpepuint_6/Tes |title=El "fenómeno Farkas" seduce a Chile · ELPAÍS.com |publisher=Elpais.com |date= |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> This rhetoric of appealing to the masses of poor people has gained him substantial support among that social group and some harsh criticism from his business peers and local politicians, often labeling him as a “[[Populism|populist]]” in search of some spotlight.<ref name="elpais1"/> |
||
==Possible presidential bid== |
==Possible presidential bid== |
||
[[Image:farkas105.jpg]] |
|||
During 2008 it had been speculated that Farkas might become an independent candidate for the upcoming [[Chilean presidential election, 2009|presidential election of 2009]]. Initially, he declined to comment on the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valparaisotimes.cl/content/view/452/25/ |title=The Valparaiso Times - Valparaiso and Vi�a del Mar News - Chile News - CHILE’S LONGSHOT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GREETED AS HERO |publisher=Valparaisotimes.cl |date=2008-11-14 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref><ref>[http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index.php/2008111015071/news/editorial-opinion/leonardo-farkas-chile-s-next-president.html ]{{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref> However, on December 5, after much speculation, he finally announced he would not be running for the presidency of Chile.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=333957 |title=Leonardo Farkas: No seré candidato a la presidencia |publisher=Emol.com |date=2010-10-29 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> |
During 2008 it had been speculated that Farkas might become an independent candidate for the upcoming [[Chilean presidential election, 2009|presidential election of 2009]]. Initially, he declined to comment on the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valparaisotimes.cl/content/view/452/25/ |title=The Valparaiso Times - Valparaiso and Vi�a del Mar News - Chile News - CHILE’S LONGSHOT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GREETED AS HERO |publisher=Valparaisotimes.cl |date=2008-11-14 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref><ref>[http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index.php/2008111015071/news/editorial-opinion/leonardo-farkas-chile-s-next-president.html ]{{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref> However, on December 5, after much speculation, he finally announced he would not be running for the presidency of Chile.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=333957 |title=Leonardo Farkas: No seré candidato a la presidencia |publisher=Emol.com |date=2010-10-29 |accessdate=2010-11-28}}</ref> |
||
==Philanthropy== |
==Philanthropy== |
||
[[Image:farkas101.jpg]] |
|||
During the rescue operation in Copiapó, Chile of the [[2010 Copiapó mining accident|trapped miners]], Farkas donated a $10,000 check for each of the 33 rescued men. Farkas reportedly gave the checks in the miners' names to each of the families and set up a separate fund to collect donations, [[The Associated Press]] reported.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39677491/ns/world_news-americas/ Showers of offers for Chile miners], MSNBC.com</ref> |
During the rescue operation in Copiapó, Chile of the [[2010 Copiapó mining accident|trapped miners]], Farkas donated a $10,000 check for each of the 33 rescued men. Farkas reportedly gave the checks in the miners' names to each of the families and set up a separate fund to collect donations, [[The Associated Press]] reported.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39677491/ns/world_news-americas/ Showers of offers for Chile miners], MSNBC.com</ref> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 18:38, 8 January 2011
Leonardo Julio Farkas Klein (born March 20, 1967 in Santiago) is a Chilean businessman and philanthropist of Hungarian and Jewish descent.
Early years
Farkas studied commercial engineering at the University of Santiago, Chile. In the 1980s, he emigrated to the United States and made a living working in show business as a piano player while traveling throughout the country. He also worked in several Caribbean cruising companies until the death of his father. Farkas then returned to Chile to manage the family business. He has stakes in several industries, the mining sector being the most important.[1]
Philanthropist
Farkas is widely known in Chile by his appearances in the telethon, a fundraising campaign for handicapped children. Farkas donated hundreds of millions of pesos, and in 2008, donated 1 billion pesos (US$1.5 million approx.), becoming the first individual to donate such amount of money to this campaign (matched hours later by José Luis Nazar during the same event).[2] Farkas is also known by his eccentric way of handing out bills to by-standers and by tipping exorbitant amounts of money to waiters in restaurants.
Social Responsibility
Farkas's company split its Australian partner, the company Admiralty Resources, whose association has brought more of a headache the renowned philanthropist and millionaire because they did not understand the spirit of solidarity and social responsibility[3]
Farkas has been very critical of the Chilean Upper class, stating that “they’re usually very stingy and elitist” and don’t do enough to mitigate Chile’s social problems. He has also said that if elected president “all Chileans would have their own house”.[4] This rhetoric of appealing to the masses of poor people has gained him substantial support among that social group and some harsh criticism from his business peers and local politicians, often labeling him as a “populist” in search of some spotlight.[4]
Possible presidential bid
During 2008 it had been speculated that Farkas might become an independent candidate for the upcoming presidential election of 2009. Initially, he declined to comment on the issue.[5][6] However, on December 5, after much speculation, he finally announced he would not be running for the presidency of Chile.[7]
Philanthropy
During the rescue operation in Copiapó, Chile of the trapped miners, Farkas donated a $10,000 check for each of the 33 rescued men. Farkas reportedly gave the checks in the miners' names to each of the families and set up a separate fund to collect donations, The Associated Press reported.[8]
References
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/americas/20chile.html
- ^ "Teletón finalmente cumple la meta en el Nacional (minuto a minuto)". Emol.com. 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Socios australianos se querellan contra un popular empresario chileno · ELPAÍS.com". Elpais.com. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ a b "El "fenómeno Farkas" seduce a Chile · ELPAÍS.com". Elpais.com. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "The Valparaiso Times - Valparaiso and Vi�a del Mar News - Chile News - CHILE'S LONGSHOT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GREETED AS HERO". Valparaisotimes.cl. 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Leonardo Farkas: No seré candidato a la presidencia". Emol.com. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ Showers of offers for Chile miners, MSNBC.com