Maurice Tempelsman, the longtime companion of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has died at the age of 95.
The diamond tycoon, who was born in Belgium, passed away on August 23 due to complications from a fall, as confirmed by his son, Leon.
Tempelsman built a substantial fortune dealing in diamonds sourced from Africa and had a significant bond with the former first lady.
Born in August 1929 in Antwerp to Jewish parents, he and his family fled Belgium in 1940 as Nazi Germany invaded.
They eventually settled in New York City, where Tempelsman studied at New York University for two years before dropping out.
After leaving school, he joined his father’s diamond business, Leon Tempelsman & Son, and pushed it to gain an international presence. He became a formidable player in the diamond industry.
By 1950, he had convinced the U.S. government to stockpile industrial diamonds from Africa as strategic resources.
Over the years, he amassed significant wealth, acting as a go-between for African suppliers and the U.S. government.
Tempelsman maintained strong ties to the government throughout his life, being a committed Democrat and a generous donor, contributing around $500,000 in the 1990s alone.
He formed close friendships with several key Democratic figures, including John F. Kennedy, the late husband of Jacqueline Onassis, as well as prominent members of Bill Clinton’s administration.
While Tempelsman knew Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for many years, their relationship turned romantic in the last decade of her life.
After Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline’s second husband, passed away in 1975, Tempelsman took on the role of her financial advisor, reportedly increasing her $26 million inheritance fourfold.
He was known for fiercely protecting her from photographers and often took walks with her in Central Park.
Tempelsman became her primary caregiver after she was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1993, moving into her apartment to provide support.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died the following year at the age of 64, with Tempelsman present at her funeral.
He leaves behind three children from his marriage to Lily Buccoltz, which occurred in 1949. This was before his relationship with Jacqueline began. In addition to his son Leon, he is survived by daughters Lena and Mercy, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
