And when Mr Merckle sets goals for his companies, he does not like to be kept waiting.

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Hoping to make some quick cash, Merckle began gambling on risky short positions.

FORBES

On the evening of Jan. 5 Adolf Merckle, Germany's fifth-richest man, opened the door of his modest home in Blaubeuren, Germany and stepped out into the frigid air.

FORBES

Adolf Merckle, the founder of a drugs, cement and engineering conglomerate, committed suicide on January 5th after burdening his empire with heavy debts and misguided financial gambles that ultimately cost his family control.

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Merckle's mangled corpse was found two hours later.

FORBES

Instead of taking a walk that cold night, Merckle drove to the suburb of Weiler, parked his car in the Ratiopharm lot and walked a few hundred yards to the train tracks that run past the plant.

FORBES: Up in Smoke

Merckle had a lot on his mind.

FORBES

In a twist of fate, the deal would bring together again two companies owned by VEM Vermogensverwaltung, investment vehicle of the late Adolf Merckle, German billionaire who committed suicide after facing massive losses after speculating with a Porsche-Volkswagen deal.

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