The Millionaire Who Fell Like a Gentleman from the Titanic

We tell you the strange and heartbreaking story of Benjamin Guggenheim, an American millionaire who died in the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912. Immediately after the Titanic hit the iceberg, Guggenheim and his personal butler, Victor Giglio, never once panicked. The couple left the boat deck as people tried to get into the lifeboats. In order not to worry, they returned to their cabins in a calm and peaceful manner and put on their best clothes. According to survivors of the shipwreck, they just wanted to “say goodbye like a gentleman.” According to records, Benjamin and Giglio were last seen smoking brandy and cigars together when the Titanic sank. After the disaster, they both died, but after the disaster, their extraordinary stories gained worldwide fame. If you like, let’s take a closer look at the history of the Guggenheim and once again listen to the parting words of his gentleman.

Who is Benjamin Guggenheim?

Benjamin Guggenheim was born in New York in 1865. His Swiss parents, Meyer and Barbara Guggenheim, led rich lives. Benjamin’s father, Meyer, was a famous and wealthy man. Meyer was a millionaire who owned the Guggenheim copper mine. The fifth of 7 brothers, Benjamin worked for a time with his brothers in his father’s company. Benjamin married Floretta J. Seligman in 1894. The couple had three daughters: Benita Rosalind Guggenheim, Marguerite “Peggy” Guggenheim (a well-known art collector and childhood socialite), and Barbara Hazel Guggenheim. But despite being married and having children, Benjamin was a man of the world and popular for his celibate lifestyle.

How did he cross paths with the Titanic?

The marriage of Benjamin and Floretta soon fell apart, and Benjamin’s business trips became more frequent. As these travels took him around the world, the couple began to drift further and further away. That is why on the trip on the Titanic he was accompanied not by his future wife, but by his mistress, the French singer Leontine Aubar.

Along with Benjamin were Benjamin’s valet Giglio, Leontina’s maid Emma Sagesser, and their chauffeur René Pemo. On April 10, 1912, Benjamin and his crew left the port of Southampton, England. They then boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, on the north coast of France.

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Titanic collided with a huge iceberg. Benjamin and Giglio slept in their first-class suites, unaware of the first encounter, but Leontina and Emma soon woke them up to receive word of the disaster.

Benjamin was wearing a life belt and sweater by one of the flight attendants, Henry Samuel Etches. The group was taken out of the cabins to the boat deck. There, Leontina and Emma took up residence in lifeboat No. 9, as priority was given to women and children. While the Guggenheim says goodbye to Emma in German, “See you again soon! This is just a workout. Tomorrow the Titanic will continue its course. was heard. However, it soon became clear that Benjamin was wrong and that the ship was sinking. This story, which has been talked about for years, began right here.

Instead of waiting or fighting for a place in the lifeboat, Benjamin and Giglio put on their best evening dresses and returned to their cabins. They reportedly returned to the salon in formal and elegant attire.

What faces did the survivors have?

The expressions of the survivors of the great catastrophe that entered the historical record were simply amazing! Benjamin’s Witnesses “We are dressed in our best clothes and ready to go downstairs like gentlemen” they said what they said. Rose Icard, one of the survivors: “Having helped save women and children, Benjamin returned to his room, dressed elegantly, and hung a red rose on his collar before he died.” he reported. Etches, the housekeeper who helped Benjamin put on the life belt, was one of the survivors.

Etches remembered Benjamin’s last message and shared: “If anything happens to me, tell my wife that I am doing my best to do my duty.” The last thing Benjamin and Giglio remember is that they looked happy as the ship sank rapidly, enjoying brandy and cigars on their deck chairs.

Benjamin and Giglio gained worldwide fame after the disaster. So much so that the newspapers were full of their extraordinary stories. Today, Benjamin and Giglio are among the most talked about names in connection with the Titanic disaster. On the other hand, the duo was also portrayed in the 1958 film A Night to Remember, the 1996 miniseries Titanic, and the 1997 James Cameron film Titanic. Despite the posthumous reputation of both men, the only photograph of Benjamin available is available. On the other hand, it is known that there was no photo of Giglio until 2012.

The bitter story of the Titanic has been told for over a hundred years. But have you ever wondered what happened to the captain of the ship in this story? If your answer is yes, let’s get you here.

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