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THE WIFE of the Wall Street financier sentenced to 150 years in prison for orchestrating a $64.8 billion ponzi scheme says she and her husband attempted suicide at their home in Manhattan after he confessed to the crime.
Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s clients lost money in his fraudulent investment scheme.
Speaking to the CBS programme 60 Minutes, Ruth Madoff said she and her husband Bernie received threatening phone calls and hate mail “beyond anything”.
The Madoffs’ son Andrew told the programme that he had received a package containing some of his mother’s jewellery around this time, but did not find out why for some time.
and decided to take a number of pills together on Christmas Eve 2008.
“It was very impulsive and I’m glad we woke up,” she said in a clip released by the broadcaster:
The couple’s son Mark took his life in December 2010. His wife Stephanie recently published a memoir about their life and the impact of his father’s ponzi scheme on the couple and on the family.
She told ABC News recently that she blames Bernie Madoff for her husband’s death, saying that Bernie’s confession “destroyed” her husband
The full CBS interview is due to air this Sunday.
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Seriously who gives a damn about the Madoffs? This vile and despicable family are now earning a living by telling their “sob” story, whilst the people’s lives they actually ruined are still struggling. Do not give these people the oxygen of publicity – let them sink!
Low life parasites.
Unbelievable comments above. Do either of you have any empathy? This is suicide we’re talking about ffs.
My empathy lies with the millions of victims Madoff left in his wake and the mental anguish they have suffered. Many of them have committed suicide a a direct result of the recession, but they don’t have a public platform to speak from and make lots of money in the process!
Eoin do you seriously believe anything these people are saying?
Sorry lads call me a bleeding heart, but yeah I do feel sorry for people who attempt suicide, whatever they have done in the past, because wanting to end your own life must be one of the worst possible feelings a person can have.
@Conor: I get your point about feeling more sympathy for the victims of the recession, but things just aren’t that black and white.
Eoin, I see where ur coming from but dont believe the Madoffs. They are all bullshitters, always were!!!! Sadly, they brought this destruction on themselves!!!
No life isn’t black and white Eoin and I certainly do not wish to see Madoff suffer physical or mental harm beyond a long stay in a secure facility at the state’s pleasure. Nonetheless it is wrong in every sense that his anguish and trauma is highlighted (and profited from) when his victims get no redress.
That’s fair enough Conor.
By that I mean I see your point!
Yes it is peculiar that both of them failed in their attempts. At least they lived to tell the tale. What of all the poor unfortunates who had their lives destroyed by this scheme and are no longer around or have a similar platform to convey the devastation this has caused. You have a very valid argument and point of view Conor.
I hope no one close to you ever commits suicide, Conor.
I’m an advocate for learning things the hard way, but not in this regard.
Odd that both of them failed.
Like almost every person in Ireland, my life has been touched by suicide. I have no wish for the Madoffs or anyone to suffer mental anguish, but that’s besides the point. I feel that an injustice is still being served upon Madoff’s victims who do not have a soap-box on which to tell their countless stories of trauma and certainly not to make money out of. It is a sad reflection of our society that notables like the Madoffs, no matter how malevolent they are get more opportunities than most of us can dream of whilst people who have lost jobs, savings and dreams are left to suffer.
have your say