Living Lavishly: Auctioning Off Benko's Villa Ansaldi's Finer Things on Lake Garda
Luxury villa inventory of Benkos, situated on Lake Garda, is up for auction.
Step into the opulent world of René Benko, the once-imprisoned real estate mogul, through a peek at the auctions of Villa Ansaldi's extravagant inventory. From personal mementos to everyday items, this grand estate with a helicopter landing pad, yacht mooring, and several outbuildings was the playground of the elite. Names like Tina Turner, Niki Lauda, and Silvio Berlusconi have all left their mark in the villa's guestbook.
The villa's glory days are etched in its every corner, reminding us of Benko's extravagant 40th birthday bash in 2017, reportedly costing half a million euros. Sadly, Benko's Signa Group folded in November 2023, marking the largest insolvency in Austrian history. Since January 2025, Benko has been behind bars, facing charges of fraud, insolvency offenses, and tax evasion, with creditors demanding billions from him.
To scratch off a portion of these claims, the insolvency administrator of the Signa Group is auctioning off the Villa Ansaldi's entire inventory. The auction includes personal relics like the celebrity guestbook, old newspapers, used items such as doormats and a toilet brush, and high-end design furniture. Budget shoppers can score old landline phones for just one euro, while high-ticket treasures start at thousands.
Villa Owner Remains a Mystery
The villa's operations are evident in its professional catering equipment, extensive fitness studio inventory, and ample office furniture. Whether you need a riding lawn mower, a mobile tank of helicopter fuel, or an extensive wine collection, this auction has you covered.
Both private individuals and businesses can bid online via the Austrian auction house Aurena's website. A preview day for registered bidders is scheduled for July 5, with the auction wrapping up on July 14. Despite selling off nearly 1800 items, the villa itself remains unclaimed, with the property not owned by the Signa Group or René Benko. Instead, it's a tenant of an unknown Luxembourg company, kicking up rumors of Benko's attempts to shield his wealth from creditors.
[1] ntv.de
[2] mbo
- Luxury Villa
- Auction
- Insolvency
- René Benko
- Billionaires
Insider's Take:The auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to snag a piece of history, withItems ranging from celebrity-signed mementos to unique design pieces. Despite being part of the insolvency proceedings, the villa's ownership status remains uncertain due to Benko's efforts to protect his wealth through various foundations, piquing the interest of all involved.
The auction of the luxury Villa Ansaldi's inventory, led by insolvency administrators, invites both private individuals and businesses to bid, offering a wide variety of items – from personal relics like the celebrity guestbook to high-end design furniture and even professional catering equipment for aspiring hosts or businesses. The villa, however, remains unowned by René Benko or the Signa Group, sparking rumors that Benko may be attempting to hide his wealth from creditors, with the property leased from an unknown Luxembourg company.
