Ehud Arye Laniad, a billionaire diamond trader, has died at age 65, the Toronto Sun reports.
He suffered a heart attack during a cosmetic surgical procedure in Paris.
Laniad reportedly died in the operating room.
His company, Omega Diamonds, said in a statement: “After living an exceptional life Ehud will be brought back home to Israel as his final resting place. He will be dearly missed by us all.”
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Omega is based in Antwerp.
Laniad’s LinkedIn profile describes him as “chairman of diamond businesses spanning mining, exploration, rough and polished diamond valuation, trading, manufacturing, retail and consultancy services.” It states that he was principal at Mercury Diamond.
The Sun reports that the Israeli-Belgian “began his career as a masseuse in Tel Aviv before seeking his fortune in Africa where he developed a keen eye for priceless gems.”
Read more at the Toronto Sun
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
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