The billionaire who chose to face the sinking Titanic in his finest evening clothes
In short: When the iceberg struck the RMS Titanic, Benjamin Guggenheim did not scramble for a lifejacket. Instead, the American businessman reportedly donned his best attire, lit a cigar, and spent his final moments ensuring that every woman and child could escape the doomed vessel.
Benjamin Guggenheim, a prominent figure of the American Guggenheim mining dynasty, was born in Philadelphia in 1865 to Swiss immigrants. His family's journey to America was driven by necessity; his grandfather, Simon Meyer Guggenheim, had been prevented by Swiss authorities from remarrying because the family was deemed too poor. This legacy of resilience and industry defined Benjamin's life, from his early studies at Columbia College to his status as a wealthy businessman with residences in both New York and Paris.
On the Titanic's maiden voyage in April 1912, Guggenheim traveled with a small entourage, including his secretary, Victor Giglio, and his mistress, the French singer Léontine Aubart. While the initial collision with the iceberg went unnoticed by Guggenheim and Giglio, they were eventually awakened by the women in their party. What followed was a display of extraordinary composure. According to testimony from steward Henry Etches, Guggenheim was initially unaware of the gravity of the situation, even remarking that the lifebelt being placed on him would be painful.
As the disaster unfolded, Guggenheim’s demeanor shifted from calm to a deliberate, stoic resolve. Witnesses described him and Giglio moving between lifeboats to assist officers and ensure the safety of others. Rather than seeking escape, Guggenheim reportedly changed into his formal evening wear, famously declaring that they were prepared to meet their end with dignity. One survivor, Rose Amelie Icard, noted that he even placed a rose in his buttonhole before the end. He left behind messages for his wife, Florette, asserting that he had fulfilled his duty and played the game fairly until the very end. Guggenheim, Giglio, and his chauffeur, René Pernot, all perished in the sinking, their bodies never recovered.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Benjamin Guggenheim
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