Olivier Dassault, France’s 9th Richest Man, Dies In Helicopter Crash
Posted on 03/07/2021
Olivier Dassault (June 1, 1951 – March 7, 2021) was a French politician and billionaire, and a deputy in the French National Assembly. Dassault died on March 7, 2021 when the helicopter he was on crashed in Touques in northwestern France. He was 69 years old and the father of three children. The pilot, the only other person on board, was also killed.
Olivier Dassault was the son of Nicole (née Raffel) and Serge Dassault, and the grandson of Marcel Dassault. Dassault graduated from École de l’air as a combat engineering officer/pilot (1974) and served in the reserves of the French Air Force. Olivier Dassault is part of the founding family of the aerospace engineering company Dassault Group, he worked in a number of roles within the family firm. Olivier Dassault is one of Serge Dassault’s four children who inherited their father’s wealth when he died in May 2018. Dassault is the president of strategy and development of Dassault Group. On June 16, 2002, he was elected as deputy for the first circonscription of Oise, running on the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) ticket. He was re-elected in 2007.
According to Forbes, Olivier Dasault’s personal fortune was estimated at US$ 7.3 billion, making him the 9th richest man in France behind Patrick Drahi.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted tribute to the 69-year-old Dassault: “Olivier Dassault loved France. Captain of industry, deputy, locally elected, a reserve commander in the Air Force. Throughout his life, he never ceased to serve our country, to promote its assets. His brutal death is a great loss. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Olivier Dassault aimait la France. Capitaine d’industrie, député, élu local, commandant de réserve dans l’armée de l’air : sa vie durant, il ne cessa de servir notre pays, d’en valoriser les atouts. Son décès brutal est une grande perte. Pensées à sa famille et à ses proches.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 7, 2021.