Olivier Dassault, a French lawmaker and son of deceased aviation billionaire Serge Dassault, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter, calling it a “great loss” to the country.
“Olivier Dassault loved France. Captain of industry, deputy, local elected official, reserve commander in the air force: during his life, he never ceased to serve our country,” Macron said.
Olivier Dassault aimait la France. Capitaine d’industrie, député, élu local, commandant de réserve dans l’armée de l’air: sa vie durant, il ne cessa de servir notre pays, d’en valoriser les atouts. Son décès brutal est une grande perte. Pensées à sa famille et à ses proches.
—Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 7, 2021
The 69-year-old was the 12th richest person in France with a net worth of $7.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His grandfather, Marcel Dassault, was a World War I aircraft-designer who founded an aviation empire. Olivier worked within the family firm before becoming a lawmaker for the conservative Les Republicains party in 2002.
The helicopter crashed near Deauville on the northwestern coast of France, the AFP reported.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.