Origins & Early Life

Marc Rich (born Marcell David Reich; December 18, 1934 – June 26, 2013) was a Belgian-American commodities trader, financier, and businessman. He founded the commodities company Glencore and was later indicted in the United States on federal charges of tax evasion, wire fraud, racketeering, and selling Iranian oil to Israel during the Iran hostage crisis. He fled to Switzerland at the time of the indictment and never returned to the United States. He received a widely criticized presidential pardon from President Bill Clinton, on his last day in office.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Rich had donated large sums to Israeli officials and organizations, which had pleaded extensively on his behalf. Rich's ex-wife Denise had also made donations to the Democratic Party. Rich was born in 1934 to a Jewish family in Antwerp, Belgium. In 1941 his parents emigrated with their son to the United States to escape the Nazis. They traveled via Vichy France, Spain, Portugal, and the liner Serpa Pinto.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His father opened a jewelry store in Kansas City, Missouri, then moved the family to Queens, New York City in 1950, where he started a company that imported Bengali jute to make burlap bags, and later started a business...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alan Arkin — Contemporary (Born in 1934) (1934): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
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• Antonio Stradivari — Shared historical date (12-18 · Died) (1737): Master Italian luthier renowned for creating some of the finest string instruments.
• Arantxa Sánchez Vicario — Shared historical date (12-18 · Born) (1971): Spanish former tennis star, known for her defensive prowess in singles and doubles.
• Ahmad Sirhindi — Shared historical date (06-26 · Born) (1564): Influential Naqshbandi Sufi scholar who championed Islamic orthodoxy in the Mughal era.
• Antoine de Rivarol — Shared historical date (06-26 · Born) (1753): French royalist writer and translator active during the tumultuous Revolutionary era.
• 1934 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1934
• December 18 (12-18) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 18
• 2013 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2013
• June 26 (06-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 26