Tycoon yachtsman Peter de Savary – who one owned Land’s End AND John o’Groats – dies aged 78

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Tycoon yachtsman Peter de Savary, who built property empire boasting both Land’s End and John o’Groats despite being expelled from school aged 16 after allegedy being caught in bed with the headmaster’s au pair, has died suddenly at the age of 78.

De Savary, who was one of Britain’s most colourful characters, died at the weekend.

His third wife Lana told the Mail: ‘Peter was extraordinary, not just as a businessman but as a wonderful mentor, loving husband and father of five daughters. 

‘He was remarkable, an enormous gap will be left in our lives.’

It is understood that de Savary died near his houseboat on the River Thames at Chelsea.

He put his Cotswolds mansion on the market for £10.5 million in 2016 so that Lana wouldn’t be burdened with the 207-acre Manor Hall estate after he was gone.

Tycoon yachtsman Peter de Savary – who one owned Land’s End AND John o’Groats – dies aged 78

His third wife Lana (pictured with Peter) told the Mail: 'Peter was extraordinary, not just as a businessman but as a wonderful mentor, loving husband and father of five daughters.

One of Britain’s most colourful characters, Peter de Savary died suddenly at the weekend at the age of 78. His third wife Lana told the Mail: ‘Peter was extraordinary, not just as a businessman but as a wonderful mentor, loving husband and father of five daughters

It is understood that de Savary died near his houseboat (pictured) on the River Thames at Chelsea

It is understood that de Savary died near his houseboat (pictured) on the River Thames at Chelsea

He started the Carnegie Club at Skibo castle (pictured: Peter in front of Skibo Castle), which was the backdrop of Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie

He started the Carnegie Club at Skibo castle (pictured: Peter in front of Skibo Castle), which was the backdrop of Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie

‘I don’t want to risk leaving her with a house of this size to cope with single-handed,’ he said at the time.

The son of a French-born Essex farmer, De Savary was expelled from Charterhouse school aged 16, after allegedly being caught in bed with the headmaster’s au pair.

He made his first million by the time he was 30, after setting up an import-export business, selling goods to Africa. 

He then amassed a fortune from the regeneration of industrial wasteland. 

He had interests in shipping and petrol but is probably best known for his work in hospitality. He founded the St James’s Club franchise with venues from London and Paris to New York, Los Angeles and Antigua.

The son of a French-born Essex farmer, De Savary (pictured) was expelled from Charterhouse school aged 16, after allegedly being caught in bed with the headmaster's au pair

The son of a French-born Essex farmer, De Savary (pictured) was expelled from Charterhouse school aged 16, after allegedly being caught in bed with the headmaster’s au pair

De Savary (pictured with his ex-wife Lana and their two children in 1988) made his first million by the time he was 30, after setting up an import-export business, selling goods to Africa

De Savary (pictured with his ex-wife Lana and their two children in 1988) made his first million by the time he was 30, after setting up an import-export business, selling goods to Africa

While travelling with his family from the Caribbean in 1987, he was in a plane crash that left one of his young daughters having to be revived on the beach. Pictured: Peter de Savary's seaplane in Newport Harbour in 1982

While travelling with his family from the Caribbean in 1987, he was in a plane crash that left one of his young daughters having to be revived on the beach. Pictured: Peter de Savary’s seaplane in Newport Harbour in 1982

A keen yachtsman, De Savary led the British sailing team in two failed attempts to win the America's Cup. Pictured: Peter de Savary Artoc Bank and Trust, in Bahamas

A keen yachtsman, De Savary led the British sailing team in two failed attempts to win the America’s Cup. Pictured: Peter de Savary Artoc Bank and Trust, in Bahamas

He also started the Carnegie Club at Skibo castle, which was the backdrop of Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie.

A keen yachtsman, De Savary led the British sailing team in two failed attempts to win the America’s Cup.

While travelling with his family from the Caribbean in 1987, he was in a plane crash that left one of his young daughters having to be revived on the beach.

The near-death experience proved pivotal. ‘At that point, my philosophy on life changed,’ he said. 

‘When you genuinely look death in the eye, you know it’s a pretty tenuous thing we’re hanging on to.’

De Savary announced he wouldn’t be leaving any of his reputed £100 million fortune to his five children, explaining: ‘They will not be given the responsibility and the awesome task of trying to preserve or augment or carry on any of my efforts.’

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