.
Here are
the details
Billionaire
businessman, Ambassador Deinde Fernandez who was legendary for his lavish and
luxurious lifestyle is dead.
Family
sources revealed that the Baron of Dudley who had relocated from Lagos to Kano
years back had been ill for some time but he lost the battle on Tuesday
evening.
In final
hours were painful. He was barely able to speak,and complained of severe
pains. Those who spoke to him days before the sad news revealed that he had
lost his bubbly mood-and was very calm and spoke very little.
We have
it on good authority that the Forbes-listed billionaire died in far away
Belgium where he has a chateau.
Fernadez
who was married to popular Lagos socialite, Princess Erelu Abiola Dosunmu was a
major player in precious stones and oil in many African Countries and was
friends to many world leaders.
The
taciturn, hefty businessman with a booming voice came into national prominence
when he took Princess Abiola to court to drop his name. He pursued the matter
for decades.
Legendary
for his flamboyant dressing, Fernandez was one of those men who lived life to
the fullest. He lived big anywhere he lands in the world.He never settles for
anything but the very best-in terms of class, taste and luxury.
Popular
celebrity journal, Ovation International Magazine some years back was given an
exclusive access to his private Island off the Coast of New York, the
awe-inspiring pictures were a wonder to behold and many wondered about the
source of his wealth.
Amb.
Fernandez also owns a number of private jets and a huge yacht. He was one of
those men that causes the atmosphere to change any time he stepped into an
arena.
A few
years ago, he had a bitter divorce with his wife, Aduke and the case which was
tried in Scotland cost him £5m (five million pounds) and some properties.
He was
also ordered to pay £75, 000 for her upkeep monthly. The lady died in 2013 and
he married another wife, Halima. The wife revealed at the time in court papers
that in the UK alone, Fernandez was worth a whopping £300m and wanted half of
it !
His house
is Scotland, Drumsheugh Gardens was reportedly one of Edinburgh’s more
prestigious addresses.
The
Scotsman, described him thus: “The billionaire African diplomat Antonio Deinde
Fernandez has already spent more than £200,000 transforming his seven-storey
townhouse by applying 1,000 books of gold leaf to the ornate cornicing and
balusters.
“The
Central African Republic’s ambassador to the United Nations travels across the
world in one of six private jets and enjoys being chauffeured around in a pink
Rolls-Royce. When dining out, he takes over the entire restaurants to avoid
encountering riffraff.
Now the
flamboyant Nigerian has astonished neighbours by asking for – and being granted
– permission to build an orangery in his backyard”.
Fernadez,
a great son of Lagos was close to the Palace. He has been sighted a couple of
times and is a member of the Olumegbon Ruling House-and his death will
certainly be painful to Lagos Royals.
Perhaps
the worse hit by this sad news will be Erelu Abiola Dosunmu. Just a month ago,
he lost one man dear to her heart, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, with
whom she had a daughter-and now she will be mourning another man that she
shared some part of her life with.
Ambassador
Fernandez’s eldest child is former Lagos State Commissioner, Chief (Mrs)
Olateju Phillips. His other children include: Gbemi , Anthony , Akin ,
Titi, Oyinkan, Atinuke, Koye and Abimbola Fernandez, who is an artiste
(known as ‘Bim’ Fernandez, she is based in New York and released a single
“Let’s take it naked” in 2014.One of his grandchildren is DJ Caise, (Derin
Phillips) is also making his mark in the entertainment industry.
Described
as efficient, smooth and dashing: His business read : Chief Antonio Deinde
Fernandez
Grand Officier
de l’ordre
National
du Leopard
Grand
Officier de L’order du Mono
Commanduer
de L’order National du Merite du Gabon
Officier
du Quissam Alaouite
Grand
Officier de L’order du merite Central Africain
Ambassador,
Extraodinary & Plenipotentiary
Permanent
Representative to the United Nations and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
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