Onassis: An Extravagant Life

by Frank Brady

“Onassis, as he emerges from these pages, is superb…Onassis was a phenomenon in our time, combining money, power, intelligence, a zest for humanity, and, I suspect, a deep-seated humanity…Onassis was, above all, a man…Brady provides many insights into the attitudes of the man.”
The New York Times Book Review

“Onassis was a hard-driving ambitious man who went after whatever he wanted and usually succeeded…He was a shrewd businessman who knew how to charm people, how to entertain them, how to sweep them off their feet and into his corner…Brady is to be commended for coming up with such a probing study.”
West Coast Review of Books

“A life that so excels most fiction…For Onassis’s lifestyle, Brady’s is the better source.”
The Washington Post

"For the people yearning to read about the feud with shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, the affair with diva Maria Callas, the marriage to Jackie Kennedy, the friendship with Winston Churchill, and the quarrel with Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier."
Publishers Weekly

"Glamorous ... more like a novel than a biography ... illuminates the paradoxes in Onassis' life."
Newsday

"A fast-moving biography of a robust, colorful life ... detailing the Greek's penchant for beautiful women ... An unblinking appraisal of a power-wielder and his vulnerabilities."
Booklist

"Brady concentrates on the women in Onassis' life, from the extraordinary Ingebord Dedichen who served as Onassis' early mentor ... to Jacqueline Kennedy."
The New York Times

"Laughing and conniving and handing out diamond necklaces, the man had something life-giving ..."
Chicago Daily News

Genres: Biography, Business, Nonfiction, History, Leadership, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Frank Brandy is the author of numerous critically acclaimed biographies. Internationally recognised as the greatest authority on the life and career of Bobby Fischer, he is also president of New York City's Marshall Chess Club and was the founding editor of Chess Life.

Reviews

[Ocean G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The man is obviously fascinating, and not really knowing much about him beforehand, I certainly appreciated that.

However, I can't say I liked the book itself. This book didn't delve deep at all, with all associated characters basically being neglected aside from their direction interaction with Onassis. So his wives, children and parents are basically just mentioned at intervals (Jackie Kennedy gets more than anyone else, but even then it would have been nice to know how she was affected after his death). Even the rift with his father is quite mysterious, and then sort of dropped (I don't believe his father's death is even mentioned).

Also, some of the details of his life seem a bit stretched. I doubt he "learned Italian fluently" thanks to the boat ride across the Atlantic and a week staying with an Italian family. I doubt even more that he, a Greek speaker, learned English and German fluently working as a phone operator in Argentina listening to other peoples' phone calls. All of this makes me doubt whether he really slept 3-4 hours per night, like the book claims.

Having said that, the book doesn't hide how he beat women, had terrible ethics (see the whale hunting section), and was all-around very devious.

Anyway, so if there is another, more in-depth biography of this man I might read it, because he is obviously fascinating. Having been born in luxury, witnessing the ethnic cleansing of his people around him, escaping with nothing to Greece, then escaping once again to Argentina, only to build a huge empire and become the richest man in the world, is quite impressive.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book’s cover photo is an exact reflection of what you’ll find within: an awkwardly framed, badly lit portrait of a bare-chested, overbearing Greek billionaire.

Only about halfway through this book did I make the connection that the author was the same Frank Brady who wrote a best-selling biography of Bobby Fischer. That one was a much better effort.

In all, a truly crappy book; but a fun, easy read.

[Ben Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billionaires used to be so much cooler.

I enjoyed this because I find Onassis fascinating, but I wouldn't call it a great biography..

The author is far too fawning. He salivates over Aristotle's talents and wealth. I would have appreciated more depth in his analysis of both the historical context and Onassis himself.

[BarbaraW · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the point and very interesting. Lousy editing job but who cares.

[Benjamin Schauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aristotle Onassis was something else. The only thing I knew about him prior to this book was that he married Jackie Kennedy and a boatload of money (pun intended). That pun is where the amusement ends, however, as Onassis was a ruthless tycoon that fought his way to the top. Though his rags to riches story as a refugee from war torn Turkey is compelling, how he won and kept his fortune is questionable to downright despicable (depending on your level of ethical comfort).

The book did not shy away from his business outings, of which a fight with the US government and a whaling operation scandal took the cake. It did portray several of his most impactful romance as endearing (minus his marriage to his first wife who was 16 YEARS OLD and 23 YEARS HIS JUNIOR when they married), but it was also very clear that he demonstrated womanizing and abusive habits toward his wives and lovers on a regular basis.

From a writing perspective, I wasn’t overly impressed. It was simply written, which isn’t necessarily bad, but large plot points were addressed and then never wrapped up (i.e. his relationship with his father). I learned a fair amount, but I’d be interested in seeing a more robust take on Onassis’ life.

[Jan Hawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not being particularly interested in reading about billionaire shipping magnates, I wanted to know more about Onassis after briefly visiting his island of Skorpios when the guide made allusions to his tragic family history. The book was extremely badly written but I read it with a fascinated horror. What a dreadful little man! The amount of money he spent on himself while his country languished in poverty was preposterous. His shipping businesses were highly dubious, he was investigated by the F.B.I. and his venture into the whaling industry just plain illegal. He treated his women as mere acquisitions, infidelity and physical abuse were an acceptable part of his relationships and yet the great and the good queued up to be invited to his parties and to cruise on his yacht. However he died broken-hearted after the death of his son with just his daughter by his side. She later died of a drug overdose. It seems that even money cannot buy immortality.

[Janet Bezz · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was like a train wreck in real time, you can’t look away. Where to begin? The subject matter? What a horrible man. The writing itself? Perfunctory. The editing? LOL
I was given this book because my ancestry is similar to the ancestry of Mr. Onassis. Thank God that’s where the similarity ends. He had absolutely no integrity in business, was only out to prove his dad wrong, and yes, he created an empire but by being ruthless and unethical and in flagrant violation of the law in many cases. I’m so proud to be of Greek heritage in so many ways, this biography did not make me proud.
And the editing… Dear Lord. I’ve never read a book like this. I’ve never read a book that made it into print with so many horrible mistakes. Sentences that don’t make sense, including the last sentence on the back cover! Paragraphs that start in the middle of a sentence. It’s almost laughable.
Read it if someone gives it to you for free.

[Sally Loper · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extraordinary man, enormously complicated, a bon vivant, totally extravagant a workaholic, etc.

From rags to riches, with great love affairs, hosting the most famous people in the world, including a close friendship with Winston Churchill.

Never faithful to his wife, Tina, but an utterly devoted father.

His marriage to Jackie Kennedy was great for a few years, took her out of her depression. But when his son, Alexander, died in a plane crash, he never came out of his depression, especially after his ex-wife's Tina's death as well.

He died a slow death. He was an extraordinary man.

[Negin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up, my mom told me about Jacqueline Kennedy marrying Onassis a few years after JFK's death. I never cared for the Kennedys, but since I was curious about Onassis, I decided to read this. It’s certainly informative and well researched. The business parts didn’t interest me, and I skimmed over those. The interpersonal dynamics and relationships were what interested me the most.

Here are some of my favorite quotes.

Attention to Detail
“He often quoted Napoleon: ‘Le culte de detail est le religion de success.’ (The pursuit of detail is the religion of success.)”

Favorite Country
“My favorite country is the one that grants maximum immunity from taxes, trade restrictions and unreasonable regulations. It is under that country’s flag that I prefer to concentrate my profitable activities.”

Knack for Business
“The year was 1929, six years since he had come to Argentina, almost penniless, to make his way in the world. He had just celebrated his 23rd birthday. His estimated worth was $1 million.”

“The ability to make large amounts of money came easily to Onassis, because of his early family experience in finance, a stubborn perseverance, a readiness to work at all times, an alertness born of need, a talent for manipulation, a studied courtesy, and an uncanny ability always to sense where the possibilities of making money might be. He possessed energy, pure in form, which perpetuated and strengthened itself as he continued in business.”

“… like all good businessmen, he was determined to know everything about his subject before investing a penny.”

The Laundress/Sleep Up
“… he (Onassis) had told her that his first attempt at a sexual liaison was at the age of 11, in the basement of the house at Karatas, with the family’s laundress, an uneducated girl scarcely older than he. Helen came home unexpectedly, checked to see if the laundress was completing her chores and found her stepson upon a pile of soiled bed linens about to tamper with both his and the girl’s virginity. The act was interrupted, of course; the poor laundress was dismissed, and Aristo was severely chastised by both Helen and Gethsemane. Socrates feigned indignation, but gave his maturing son the best advice he could muster. The fact that the boy wanted to experiment didn’t really bother him, but Aristo’s selection of a mere laundress was of concern to his father. ‘Never become involved with someone who can make you lose stature, if the relationship becomes known,’ he advised the boy frankly. ‘Sleep up.’ It was advice that Aristo took to heart and would later apply to his life over and over again. Meanwhile, Socrates, to mollify his mother and wife, hired an old lady –‘with the face of a witch,’ as Onassis later described her — as a replacement for the tempting young laundress.”

173-Clause Marriage Contract
“Dorothy Schiff, the former publisher of the New York Post, who had interviewed and lunched with Jackie on a number of occasions around that time, said in her biography, Men, Money and Magic, that Jackie’s loneliness was the key factor in her wanting to marry Onassis and that ‘Jackie wanted to marry Onassis more than Onassis wanted to marry Jackie.’ Mrs. Schiff also stated that Jackie said that she thought men over sixty were often more attractive than younger men and cited General Maxwell Taylor as being ‘marvelous and lean.’ She had told her friend, ex-football star, Roosevelt Grier, that she considered marrying Onassis, ‘Because I was lonely and wanted someone to care about me and someone I could care about and there was no more John Kennedy.’ Ted Kennedy had, on Jackie’s behalf and with her knowledge, discussed her financial situation with several of her lawyers and acted as her spokesman. He suggested a marriage contract spelling out all of the details and Onassis agreed.
Lawyers working in New York for both Jackie and Ari conferred privately, by phone, with their clients — and in Jackie’s case with both her and Ted Kennedy and in a relatively short time, drew up a contract that was mutually acceptable. Kennedy laughed out loud when he quipped: ‘Now remember, Ari, no invisible ink on this one.’ Onassis guffawed.
Meyer conferred with her and then made specific proposals to Ari’s lawyers, who would, in turn, discuss them with Onassis. Except for minor changes of words, or intent, Onassis made few additions or deletions to the agreement after it was appended and changed by Meyer. The 173-clause marriage contract between Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy has never been made public, but a former employee of Onassis, Christian Cafarakis, did see a copy of it shortly after it had been drawn up and described some of its details:
Jackie was to receive a $3 million ‘payment’ in tax-free bonds.
Jackie was not required to give Onassis a child.
The couple agreed that they only needed to spend Catholic holidays and summer vacations together. The rest of their time could be spent alone, wherever they so chose.
Separate bedrooms had to be provided whenever they were together.
If Onassis decided to leave his wife, he must automatically give her $10 million for each year of their marriage. If Jackie decided to leave her husband before five years of marriage, she’d receive only $20 million in total.”

[Laurie Hoppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid, 3.5 star telling of "an extravagant life." Before I picked it up, all I knew of Onassis was he was Jackie's really rich second husband. I had no idea that he endured such terror as a kid. He was just 16, living with his family in Smyrna, and about to go to college in Oxford, when the Turks destroyed the city and committed unspeakable atrocities. One aunt and uncle and their baby were burned alive in a church. Another uncle was hanged. His beloved grandmother was beaten to death in the street. His father was imprisoned. Aristotle was the man of the family at 16. He never went to Oxford.

He was determined to become a success, and financially, he certainly was. Tobacco importer, whaling ships, tankers, an airline. He virtually financed Monaco. I admit I had a hard time following all of his business endeavors but learned enough to know he was unburdened by scruples. I believe the horror of his teen years left their mark.

One thing he learned from his father was to sleep with women who could advance him socially. Ari certainly did that. The first serious relationship was with Ingeborg, the newly divorced heiress to a Swedish shipping fortune. Slightly older, she taught him how to behave socially and decorated his first home and ships. He also beat her, which could be why she refused to marry him. Then the much younger Tina, daughter of a Greek shipping tycoon. They had two children together. He was unfaithful to her with Callas, the world-famous opera diva. Finally Jackie, the widow of the American President and the most famous woman in the world. He was dead at 69, younger than I thought. But he certainly had "an extravagant life."

This book takes you through it quickly, neatly and engagingly. I just wish there was more emotional depth to the story telling.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting character. When they discuss the fact that he only needed a few hours sleep I’m reminded of the many people in the world of Achievement who have claimed the same. I too sleep very little with the aid of meds plus as Nicholas I have trouble eating. Perhaps out very ancient Indian heritage of vegetarianism. If I eat meat I feel, well let’s leave that for another discussion. Why was he so aggressive and beating women and why accepting of the distance between “friends” was that the gay subculture, also ancient but profound. But don’t you just love the desire of men, the respect for their desire to know and achieve. I’m very thankful for them, for streets, safe sidewalks, stores to go get food, elegant dancing, boats that zoom with sleek pride. But I still this just another story of how the US Govt takes and manipulates those who have strength, who have what the lowly Govt worker doesn’t have- drive and ambition. Is this the age old tale of those who desire and work and those who demand from others, those who work and those who don’t, those who have and the have nots who live with the green monster. His showing and demanding of the US Govt I find admirable, his taste I appreciate, his travel I desire, his companionship I would also appreciate where are the men like this? Strong, smart, educated, bold, prideful, powerful, intentional, those who appreciate the differences of the world, those who state their boundaries and enforce them, where are these men because I long for them!

Out society needs them to step forward and take reality back. Is President Putin, the only one left ?

[Leanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I thought the man would be so interesting and yet the writing fell flat for me. He's a fascinating character and the book started out with him as a young boy which had lots of drama, but didn't really evoke any emotion from me. Way too much coverage of his work, what he bought with his money, or his business competitions - not my cup of tea. In my opinion, there was an extravagant amount of detail on his riches and his business dealings -- so much conspicuous consumption that I finally gave up. Never made it to his relationship with Jackie and it was the part that I was looking forward to reading about. I looked at where I was in the book and I was getting close to 70% finished with the book and I realized that if the author had covered Tina and his children, it left no impression on me, which surprised me to think that I missed a chunk of his family life. I took a moment to assess whether the writing would cover any relationship building or character insights going forward and decided it probably would continue with this style, so I cut my time with this "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" book.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, fun, and easy read, full of extravagant tales and the ostentatious adventures of a man drunk on life. The author focuses primarily on Onassis’s personal relationships, while his business dealings are explored only at a surface level.

I do take issue with the book's general lack of depth and its willingness to accept the subject's own version of events as fact. Onassis himself seemed openly content with telling tall tales to entertain, and the biographer, in many ways, fulfills what he would have wanted.

Rather than a serious, in-depth biography, the author seems intent on presenting Onassis as a flamboyant, charismatic, larger-than-life figure. To be frank, this approach does make the book more enjoyable, but less substantial as a biography.

[ND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aristotle Onassis: The Consummate Casanova. There's just no other words to describe him. Brady does well in painting Onassis life through the women at the time that he adores. And as each phase of his life changes so too does the grandeur of woman he desires, and sparing no expense in his effort to acquire her. Mixed in with short descriptions of his life and business adventures, while a very entertaining read, you wont get too much in-depth details of his business dealings or what occurs after his death with Jackie Kennedy and his estate.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biografía de una leyenda, Aristóteles Sócrates Onassis (solo el nombre ya es aureatico) , un magnate del mundo naviero y con la flota privada más grande del mundo. Multimillonario, Playboy, marido de Jackie Kennedy (JFK's widow), poliglota, amante del mar y de Grecia. El libro no habla tanto del imperio que construyó sino de su personalidad, carisma y caprichos extravagantes. Se compró varios barcos cazaballenas porque tenía fascinación por estas criaturas, no obstante, este hobby casi le costó su imperio.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excessively hagiographical, prone to effusive passages about AO's restless business genius and 50s-style macho dealmaking skills. But interesting throughout and upfront about AO's completely unethical business practices (most notably his whaling operations that unabashedly flouted international treaties).

[Angela Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great learning book

If you’re looking for something to inspire you and encourage you in the area of your finances, this is a great read. The life Onassis is an amazing story of rags to riches, and somebody that was dedicated to being a international businessman. If he can do it, so can you!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Onassis before reading this book. what a life and what a character. the author has a pleasant writing style which made reading this book highly enjoyable. I would say this book is a good introduction to Onassis, but maybe there are other biographies with more details of his personal life. This book was very heavy on his shipping and business Still liked it and learned a lot.

[Elliemae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not impressed with the author nor with the subject of the book. In fact, after drudging through the book I did not care for Onassis. I do not know if it was because he was wealthy, but he was a mean and spiteful person. I think JFK had him pegged correctly all along!

[Rafa Willisch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Money buys you things but doesn't buy you happiness. Onassis, like most multimillionaires, wasted all his life collecting: money, market share, properties, marrying famous people,....but all ended as a Greek tragedy.

[Kimberley Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

You never know about some of these books. However, this was quite good. I listened to the audiobook & the narrator was engaging, a good story teller and kept my attention. It was written by established author Frank Brady, expert biographer of many including chess prodigy and champion Bobby Fisher.

[Michael Kaub]

This biography of Aristotle Onassis is recommended for its portrayal of an imperfect and multifaceted individual. The speaker appreciates biographies that show both success and "debauchery," reflecting real-life complexities rather than idealized narratives

[Karen A Berlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One said biography

Could not put it down! Read like a great fiction novel. A complex and fascinating man and life story. Great

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good over-view of Onassis's life--probably won't read again.

[Alex Pal. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice biography of Socratis Onassis who was an interesting character!

[Marcmadrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want information about Onassis this book gives you lots of detail. The "flow" of the narrative however is a little "choppy"

[Michael Bartellas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Grammatical errors throughout but did not hinder the content.

[Tarek Omran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Man with a special void, surrounded by interesting people with special voids.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love history, this one is an easy read. Well laid out history on the man Aristotle Onassis. I'd recommend this book.

[Joseph Kibera]

Wish i was born rich :)))