Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (* 23. March 1869 in (Istanbul); "† 20 July 1955 in Lisbon) was a Britisher of Armenian descent and an internationally active oil dealer.

It was born as a son of Sarkis and Dirouhie Gulbenkian belonging in Skutaris, today to Istanbul. Its father was Schatullverwalter of the Sultans and a wealthy Armenian petroleum dealer. Its two parents belonged themselves famous Armenian families, their origins on 4. Century back to pursue leave. Its ancestors were the princes von Rechduni, the landed property around the Vansee possessed. In the 11. Century, during which Herschaft of the king Senekerim of Vaspurakan were established the Rechdunis in Caesarea (Kayseri), and assumed the name Vart Badrik, a Byzantine title of nobility. With the power over name of the Ottomanen in 17. Century wur the name by the Turkish form Gulbenkian replaces. It received its training in Marseille, where it deepened its French knowledge and at the King' s college in London, which it locked 1887 with an engineer diploma with honor.

1902 it accepted the British nationality.

He attained great importance, when the British combined 1920 from the remainders of the former Osmani realm some provinces (Mossul, Bagdad and Basra) into the kingdom, which admits since that time as Iraq is. The oil treasures lying in this country were lifted by the Iraq petroleum company (IPC), to the Calouste Gulbenkian as one the founder (1911) five per cent portion held. Since this five-percentage share was desired in all its business, it got the pointed name "Mister Five Percent ". Due to an allocation of business, which moderated Gulbenkian as a mediator of the interests of international Gulbenkian received this five per cent portion later also at the societies Exxon, BP and Shell. The money printed itself since that time for it practically from alone: Gulbenkian was considered as a first billionaire of history.

He was credit giver for the Monegasque principality and created the Casino in Monte Carlo.

Gulbenkians life companion was a princess. It had it on a journey after Istanbul with the Orient express becomes acquainted with, when it fled itself from the obligation marriage with the insanity a Balkans king in the driving course, purged, to it. After it had died, it scattered the ash of its wife from the driving course, at the same calender date, at which it had become acquainted with it, to the same time, when it had fled to it.

Gulbenkian was since 1902 British citizen, and he put on his possession predominantly in Great Britain. Starting from 1915 it lived in Paris. Since it sympathized with the Vichy government during the crew of Paris by the Nazis, the British seized his property as enemy properties. 1942 succeeded it to it then to leave the country into neutral Portugal. It established itself in Lisbon and left the city up to its death in the year 1955 no more. (Source: Mister Five Percent, Renate Petriconi)

Starting from 1942 lived Gulbenkian its, a donation, which administers now its inheritance, dedicated itself and based old days mostly in Lisbon to its large art collection. Gulbenkian was a lover of all beautiful one, he purchased art in large quantities.

The "Museu Calouste Gulbenkian" in Lisbon, developed from its enormous fortune and his art collection, enjoys high appreciation in international art circles. In the context of this donation work also a ballet is designated after it.

Literature

• Hewins, Ralph (1958): Mister 5%. The life of the oil millionaire Caloust Gulbenkian. Munich: Publishing house. 308 S., 6 Taf.

Related links

• "Gulbenkian - an Armenian, communist acting capitalist ", russlandonline.ru, 20 July 2005

• Gulbenkian donation in Lisbon (haven., English) with the Dependancen in Paris and London

• Gulbenkian donation Kurzbiograhie

• Gulbenkian donation in Paris

• The Gulbenkian Theatre of the University of Kent in Canterbury

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