Karstadt billionaire Benko! Shopping trip with a private jet

Billionaire Benko's Weekend Shopping Spree Amidst Company's Bankruptcy Woes

Bills, Bankruptcy, and a Vacation?

In the midst of financial turmoil, when his company's on the brink of bankruptcy, what does a wealthy mogul do? He jets off for a shopping spree, of course! Well, René Benko (46), the Austrian property tycoon who also helms Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, seems to follow this playbook.

Insolvency Kickoff for Signa Real Estate

👉 Friday saw the insolvency filing of Benko's first Signa Group subsidiary: Signa Real Estate, pulling in an annual revenue of 54 million euros and employing 130 staff members.

👉 Saturday was crunch time for desperate investor courtships in the hedge fund sphere. The lifeblood of Benko's corporate empire and its countless employees hung in the balance.

But here's the twist - during these critical moments for his firms and thousands of employees, Benko, his wife Nathalie (33), and their kin embarked on a weekend getaway to Barcelona, Spain.

Private Jet Escapades, volta a Barcelona

Friday's insolvency proceedings went on uninterrupted while Benko took off for a Barcelona-based luxury resort. His Bombardier Global Express jet, a snug home for 12 guests and 14 crew members, accompanied the family.

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Back in the Firing Line

On Sunday afternoon, Benko and his suitcases (plus shopping bags!) returned to Tyrol. His face bore a stern expression and phones were buzzing, loaded with legal docs.

Benko's Yacht: A Luxury to Sell

This Italian-built, 12-guest yacht was constructed in 2010 and features a crew capacity of 14.

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Enrichment

René Benko's luxury escapade to Barcelona during Signa Real Estate's bankruptcy proceedings remains unmentioned as an explicit cause in the available sources. However, it's suggested that Benko continued living an extravagant lifestyle despite his companies' financial struggles.

Critics, including the trustee in Benko's personal bankruptcy case, have denounced this inappropriate spending as disregardful towards the hardships faced by his corporations and employees.

These luxury trips, including Barcelona, represent part of a broader pattern characterized by indulgent spending despite Benko's business empire's financial challenges.

Ziefang, C. (2023, November 26). Der Zwangsverwalter von René Benkos Insolvenz meldet sich zu Wort. Spiegel Online. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from