Romania’s businessman Dinu Patriciu, 64, formerly known as the richest Romanian, died in London on Tuesday morning (August 19). He was suffering from cancer for several years. Patriciu moved to London in January this year, where he was being treated for cancer.

Dinu Patriciu had a liver transplant in December 2012.

Patriciu, born on August 3, 1950, was one of the richest Romanians. He used to own oil and gas company Rompetrol, which he sold in 2007 to KazMunaiGaz (KMG), Kazakhstan’s state-owned company, in a deal estimated to be worth around USD 3 billion, and went on to invest in retail, real estate and media.

In 2006, Patriciu was sent to court in the Rompetrol file being accused among others of manipulating the stock market, insider trading, offering inside information, embezzling and money laundry. However, he was acquitted in this case in 2012.

He also had a political career, but in 2003 he decided to withdraw from the politics and focus on the business career.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com