Businessman Marks 55: From Prison to Billionaire Status

Businessman the businessman is set to celebrate his 55th birthday on November 14th. The businessman, who founded the gambling software company Playtech and expanded into real estate, payments, and technology, has a past that includes a prison sentence, a brief stint in fruit and vegetable trading, and unsuccessful investments. Born in Tel Aviv in 1971, he is known for his international business dealings, significant real estate transactions, and well-publicized personal life.

In 1996, at age 24, the businessman was convicted of securities fraud, bribery, and aggravated fraud as part of a plea deal in the "Diskontaim" affair. He received a nine-month prison sentence, a 15-month suspended sentence, and a 300,000 shekel fine. The businessman has since stated he paid for his actions and moved on.

After his release, the businessman briefly worked in the fruit and vegetable trade before returning to investments. One of his early successes was in 1997, when he and his father, Ami the businessman, bought the shell company "Oki Doki" to use for real estate ventures. Less than a year later, they sold their controlling stake to businessman Yigal Zilkha for over a million dollars profit.

In 2010, the businessman purchased a mansion in Herzliya Pituah for an estimated 135-145 million shekels, reportedly featuring an atomic bomb shelter, a wine cellar, and a private elevator to the beach. In 2012, he bought former Defense Minister Ehud Barak's apartment in Tel Aviv's Akirov Towers for 26.5 million shekels, acquiring the entire 31st floor.

Internationally, the businessman acquired Stables Market, part of London's Camden Market, for approximately 400 million pounds in 2014, later expanding his holdings in the area. He was reportedly considering selling his Camden operations in 2022 for about 1.3 billion pounds. A startup linked to his group, Adience, which developed technology for online commerce, faced significant layoffs and closed its offices in 2016 due to its product not meeting expectations.

In 2021, the businessman was initially linked to reports of an assassination attempt in Cyprus targeting Israeli businessmen. However, the Prime Minister's office clarified that while a terror act was attributed to Iran, the businessman was not the direct target, a point he also denied.

The businessman is also a partner in a luxury residential project on Fisher Island near Miami, offering residents services like a 24-hour butler and private boat transport. His personal life has included a past relationship with Bar Refaeli and a 14-year relationship with Yael Nazri, with whom he has six children. He also has a daughter, Yuli, from a previous relationship with Limor Bahat, mother of model Coral Simanovich. His current partner is German model and businesswoman Kim Damer.