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Fritz MannheimerGerman-Dutch banker
Date of Birth: 19.09.1890
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Fritz Mannheimer
Fritz Mannheimer, a German-Dutch banker, was rightfully named the King of Flying Capital, as he was considered one of the most influential financiers in Europe after World War I. Governments and major financiers sought his advice, and his authority was unparalleled.
Early Life and Education
Fritz Mannheimer was born in Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany. His father, Max Mannheimer, was a wine merchant, and his mother was Lily Sara Frenkel. He received his education at Heidelberg University, where he earned a degree in law.
Career
During World War II, Mannheimer worked in one of the German government bureaus, overseeing raw material flows in Germany. He quickly rose to become the head of his department. At the age of 27, Mannheimer persuaded Belgian industrialists to accept paper currency issued in the occupied territory.
After the war, Mannheimer took a position at the German central currency office, and his first task was to restore order in the Amsterdam branch of the legendary bank 'Mendelssohn & Co'. He quickly established himself as one of the most prominent financiers of the era. He directly collaborated with the central banks of Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Poland, and Yugoslavia.
Mannheimer twice declined the opportunity to lead the German Reichsbank, and after the second refusal, he suggested that the position be given to Hjalmar Schacht. He used his earnings to build an art collection, which included the 'Eucharistic Dove' stolen from Salzburg Cathedral.
Personal Life
On June 1st, 1939, Mannheimer married Marie Antoinette Jeanne Reiss, who was born in China and was the daughter of the renowned German-Jewish entrepreneur Hugo Reiss. Their wedding was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident when Fritz suffered a heart attack during the ceremony. The couple had one child, Anna Franz Mannheimer, who was born six months after their wedding and four months after Fritz's death.
Death and Legacy
On August 9th, 1939, just two months after his wedding, Mannheimer received a mysterious phone call. He immediately left his Amsterdam office, boarded a train, and went to France to be with his wife. It was there that he passed away on the same day. There were rumors that Mannheimer may have taken his own life, as he had faced numerous health problems, particularly concerning his weight and heart. Supporters of the suicide theory also pointed out that the bank he was in charge of went bankrupt the day after his death. It is believed that Mannheimer had acquired a significant portion of his art collection through inappropriate use of entrusted funds. Ultimately, his firm was liquidated by the Nazis by the end of the year, and Hitler himself purchased Mannheimer's collection.
