Petr Kellner, Czech billionaire, killed in helicopter crash in Alaska

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The PPF Group, the Czech investment firm that Kellner co-founded, confirmed his death in a statement on Monday.

“With great sadness, PPF announces that … Petr Kellner tragically died in a helicopter crash in the mountains of Alaska,” the company said. “Her professional life was known for her incredible work ethic and creativity, but her private life belonged to her family,” he adds.

Kellner, 56, helped found PPF in 1991 to participate in the privatization of the Czech economy after the fall of communism. He owned nearly 99% of the company, which has stakes in more than two dozen companies around the world, according to its website.
Kellner had a net worth of $ 15.7 billion and was the only individual from the Czech Republic on Bloomberg Billionaire’s Index, a list of the world’s 500 richest people.

According to a statement from the Alaska State Troopers, four other people – including the helicopter pilot – were killed in the crash near Knik Glacier. One passenger was in serious but stable condition. According to the statement, the helicopter was an Airbus AS350 B3, owned by Soloy Helicopters. The company did not immediately respond to an after-hours request for comment.

“The group would have done heliskiing in the region”, the Alaska State Troopers statement said, adding that the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

Heli-skiing involves using a helicopter rather than a ski lift to access remote terrain.

It is not known who will succeed Kellner at the helm of PPF, which had assets of nearly $ 44 billion at the end of June 2020. In addition to being its largest shareholder, Kellner oversaw the group’s strategic development and future direction. .

Moneta Money Bank shares fell 4.3% in Prague on Monday before recovering some losses. PPF said earlier this month that it has committed to buy a 28.4% stake in the Czech bank. Shares of O2 Czech Republic, another PPF investment, fell 0.8%.

Czech President Miloš Zeman held Kellner “in high regard” for his business successes and “deeply regrets his tragic death”, said a spokesperson.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš tweeted: “It is an incredible tragedy. I am sorry, my deepest condolences to the family of Petr Kellner.”

A prominent figure in the Czech business world, Kellner’s philanthropic efforts have focused on education and have been managed by the Kellner Family Foundation, which he established with his wife, Renáta Kellnerová.

PPF donated 100 million Czech crowns ($ 4.5 million) to the government for respirators, masks and test kits at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

– Ivana Kottasová contributed reporting.



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