Aristotelis Onassis, a prominent shipping magnate, led a life marked by wealth, tragedy, and familial strife. Despite his success, he faced immense sorrow, including the death of his son, Alexander, in a plane crash and the suicide of his ex-wife. Onassis died in 1975 during a divorce from Jackie Kennedy, leaving a complicated legacy. His daughter, Christina, struggled with depression and passed away in 1988, while granddaughter Athina, though inheriting billions, has sought privacy amid her own challenges, including a severe riding accident and a tumultuous marriage.
The Life and Tragedies of Aristotelis Onassis
Aristotelis Onassis, a titan of the shipping industry, was known for his vast empire, which included 30 shipping companies and 90 ships, alongside a luxurious lifestyle that featured the Greek island of Skorpios and even his own airline. However, despite his immense wealth, Onassis left behind a poignant message for future generations, hinting at the unhappiness that plagued his family. The pinnacle of his suffering came in 1973 with the tragic death of his son, Alexander, who was only 24. After a devastating plane crash, Alexander lingered in a coma for three days before life support was turned off. To compound his sorrow, Onassis faced another loss a year later when his ex-wife, Athina Livanos, took her own life.
Onassis passed away on March 15, 1975, at the age of 69 due to pneumonia while undergoing a divorce from Jackie Kennedy. He famously referred to his marriage to the former First Lady as “the biggest mistake of my life,” which contributed to the limitations of her inheritance. The vast fortune he left behind was divided among his daughter, Christina Onassis, her husband Thierry Roussel, and the Alexander Onassis Foundation.
Christina Onassis and Her Struggles
Despite inheriting a significant family fortune, Christina Onassis was unable to find happiness. The tragic deaths of her father and mother deeply affected her mental health, leading to a debilitating depression. Overwhelmed by the responsibilities that came with her inheritance, she stepped down from managing the family shipping company in 1977. Christina’s life came to a tragic end on November 19, 1988, when she suffered a heart attack in Buenos Aires, driven by severe alcohol and pill abuse. She left behind her daughter, Athina Onassis, who was just three years old and already worth 3.5 billion euros.
Athina grew up under the protective care of her father, Thierry Roussel, away from the public eye. However, her status as a billionaire heiress brought its own challenges, with rumors swirling around her father’s intentions regarding her inheritance. In 2003, Athina finally claimed her inheritance, and her life began to brighten, particularly after she fell in love with show jumper Álvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto, known as ‘Doda.’ The two married in 2005 and became an inseparable equestrian pair, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs.
However, tragedy struck again in 2012 when Athina suffered a severe riding accident, injuring two cervical vertebrae. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained intact, and her husband immediately prioritized her recovery over his professional commitments. Despite his efforts, the couple’s relationship deteriorated, leading to their official divorce in 2017. Doda moved on and remarried, starting a new family.
In the aftermath of her marriage’s collapse, Athina Onassis has largely retreated from the public eye, rarely appearing in media. Her last public appearance in June 2022 in Paris went unnoticed, reflecting her desire for privacy. It seems that Athina’s guiding principle is to avoid unnecessary attention, as she navigates the heavy legacy left by her family.