The Eccentric German Millionaire Who Lived on Less Than $500 a Month

[n2doc]

When millionaire Klaus Zapf passed away this week, the whole of Germany mourned his death. The eccentric tycoon, who always had millions at his disposal, actually lived a frugal life by choice. What endeared him most to the people of his nation was his generous nature – he gave most of his money away, while he lived on only $500 a month.

“I don’t need any money. It just makes us unequal,” Klaus once said. “There are just so many bloody idiots with money around, you don’t need another one.”

Zapf, 62, had made his fortune in the relocation business – he ran a company called Zapf Umzüge, which he often referred to as ‘West Berlin’s best removals collective’. His distinctive blue and yellow vans were quite well-known in city streets as they picked up and unloaded wares from across the country and the world.

But even though capitalism had made him rich, Zapf was a worshipper of socialism. He admired the ideology so much that he even had a statue of his hero – Vladimir Lenin – in his company’s yard in Kreuzberg. “Here, the delusions of grandeur are healed every day,” he said as he described his workplace.

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http://www.odditycentral.com/news/the-eccentric-german-millionaire-who-lived-on-less-than-500-a-month.html

[MindPilot]

1. Probably how he got to be a millionaire.

I used to work with a guy who lived in his car. This was mid-eighties at a Ford dealer, and he was the automatic transmission specialist. He made really good money, but hardly ever spent a dime; the boss had to occasionally remind him to cash his paychecks.

Lost touch with him, but I bet he hasn't had to work for quite some time.

Mr Zapf is one cool dude.

[malaise]

2. Well said

“I don’t need any money. It just makes us unequal,” Klaus once said. “There are just so many bloody idiots with money around, you don’t need another one.”

[woo me with science]

3. K&R

[TBF]

4. ...