The online auction of bankrupt Signa Holding runs until January 19 – allowing the public to discover juicy details about the once-luxurious inner workings of the Benko company…
In addition to designer chairs, chandeliers and leather trash cans, the curator even wants to make money with a toilet set. Signa obviously wants to send a message: given the billions in debt, the lavish professional life is over; Sobriety will henceforth find its way into the bankrupt companies of the real estate speculator.
Private jet took off over Christmas
Benko’s oversized Global 7000 business jet (new price: about 70 million euros) is certainly not so down-to-earth. Although restructuring administrator Christof Stapf halted Signa Holding’s flight operations at the beginning of December 2023, the aircraft, which is part of a Benko Foundation’s inventory, also took off during the Christmas holidays to cover the route between Innsbruck and Vienna.
“Begging letter” to investors
From Vienna, Erhard Grossnigg (77), the new board member of the now also bankrupt Signa Prime Selection AG, will look for new investors by letter of appeal who, according to media reports, will bring the financially distressed company 350 million euros. Euros in venture capital: Major investor Benko and Grossnigg’s friend Hans Peter Haselsteiner, who owns 14 percent of Signa Holding through his family foundation, can imagine a cash injection if other investors also agree.
However, some of the existing shareholders, such as Fressnapf founder Torsten Toeller or management consultant legend Roland Berger, had long ago announced their desire to exit the company, because they lacked transparency in the opaque Benko empire.
“Striving for splendor”
Meanwhile, media attention also focuses on the private lifestyle of the financial juggler: “The bankrupt billionaire Rene Benko (47) went so far in his pursuit of splendor that he settled in his gigantic castle hotel (in total approximately 6,000 square meters ). in Igls (near Innsbruck/Tyrol) the famous Blue Cave of Capri was recreated,” reports “Bild”.
“Two babbling waterfalls”
The German newspaper claims to have discovered that Benko had approximately 3,000 square meters of artificial stone laid at his private home for a swimming pool with a diameter of 30 meters and a cave with a span of 15 meters. “Two babbling waterfalls” had to create a “feel-good atmosphere”.
Apparently people were still floating in different spheres a few years ago. Benko’s conglomerate is now in danger of going under.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
