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Reuben brothers David and Simon have property worth £18bn, own a £54m yacht and are involved in Newcastle takeover


THEY say money can’t buy you happiness, but the Reuben brothers don’t seem to be complaining.

The property tycoons are self-made billionaires and the second richest family in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

Simon Reuben, left, and David Reuben are part of a consortium set to take over NewcastleCredit: Getty – Contributor

David Reuben, 79, and younger sibling Simon, 76, have amassed a staggering fortune of £18.6bn thanks to a business acumen even Lord Alan Sugar would be envious of.

Over the years, they’ve splashed their wealth on a plethora of boys’ toys, including a £54million super yacht and a £19million private jet.

They even own a nightclub in the exclusive Italian island of Capri that’s seen glamorous guests like Jennifer Lopez, George Clooney and Beyonce walk through its doors.

Now, the pair are set to move into the football world.

They have joined forces with Saudi Arabia prince Mohammad bin Salman and Amanda Staveley in a £300m takeover of Newcastle United from beleaguered owner Mike Ashley.

They stand to own 10 per cent of the club, according to reports. This is their story.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

David and Simon were born in India to Jewish-Iraqi parents, and moved to London in the 1950s.

The family grew up in poverty, and were poorly educated in a state school in Islington.

They loved their football, but didn’t support their local team Arsenal, instead opting for London rivals Chelsea.

Both left education when they were 17, David worked in scrap metal and began trading, while Simon started out in carpets, before buying England’s oldest carpet company from the receivers.

In the past, Simon has been quoted as saying: “I can’t read a computer screen and never use a calculator. It’s all in my head and by hand.”

The Reuben brothers are said to have amassed a fortune of over £18bnCredit: Camera Press

The company made enough money for Simon to start spending on property, with early investments on Walton Street and the King’s Road in Chelsea.

Eventually, the brothers joined forces by launching Trans-World Metals – an operation that specialised in aluminium and tin out of London and copper and tin out of New York.

By 1984, the company was worth a staggering $20million, and at its peak they controlled around seven percent of the world’s aluminium output.

PROPERTY MAGNATES

The Reubens moved into Russian territory shortly after the break-up of the Soviet Union, buying half of Russia’s aluminium supply.

Remarkably, their global sales topped $8bn in 1995.

They did business with Roman Abramovich, as well as Oleg Deripaska, the oligarch pal of Nat Rothschild and Peter Mandelson.

However, their relationship with Deripaska turned sour, and eventually the Reubens took him to court claiming damages of $300m in lost earnings.

The Reubens have now focused their attentions on reshaping the London skyline. They redeveloped Paddington Basin, own Connaught House on Berkeley Square, as well as the John Lewis HQ in Victoria, Burlington Arcade, 100 Pall Mall, Clareville House, and several shops in pricey Sloane Square.

After making a mint in aluminium, the Reubens went about changing London’s property landscape acquiring buildings like the Millbank Tower and CentreCredit: Alamy
The trendy Curtain Hotel and Private Members Club in Shoreditch is a part of their vast property portfolioCredit: Alamy
Burlington Arcade is also owned by the Reuben brothersCredit: Ben Gurr – The Times

CAMBRIDGE HOUSE

In 2017, they were granted planning permission to turn a former Piccadilly private members’ club into one of London’s most astonishing five star hotels, after acquiring the property for £130million in 2011.

Originally, the site was the infamous In and Out Club that boasted past members like Lawrence of Arabia, Ian Fleming and Rudyard Kipling.

The Grade I-listed property known as Cambridge House, also formerly a home of past PM Lord Palmerston, will also house a restaurant, bars, a spa, pool and gym, and seven residential apartments when it is built.

But its most amazing feature will be its 2,360sq ft grand ballroom, double the size of the average home.

In 2011, the Reuben brothers bought Cambridge House for £130m
Former Prime Minister Lord Palmerston once lived in Cambridge HouseCredit: Susannah Ireland – The Times
Planning permission was granted to turn Cambridge House into a lavish five star hotelCredit: Susannah Ireland – The Times

BUY LAND, BY SEA

Through their company Kristal Waters, the brothers built five super yachts.

They sold four – Triple Seven, Sapphire, Mogambo and Graffiti, but kept the £54million Siren, which is now used by the pair as a private yacht.

The 241-foot vessel has six cabins, a master suite, a VIP stateroom, three double cabins, as well as a twin cabin.

The master suite also has a fold out balcony on which guests can enjoy incredible views of  the skies and the ocean.

There is space for up to 12 guests, while 18 cabin crew can wait on you hand and foot.

The Reubens are the proud owners of the Siren super yachtCredit: Alamy
The £54m Siren boasts a stunning saloon room
The dining room inside the Siren offers ample space for the family and guests
The Reuben family enjoy the delights of the Siren

JET-SET LIFE

If travelling by sea doesn’t cut it for the Reubens, they have exclusive use of their own private jet worth around £19million.

They own an Embraer 135BJ Legacy 650 that can fly up to 14 passengers in one flight.

The jet has a top speed of 518mph and a maximum range of 3,740 miles, which means it can get to the States from the UK.

But, the Reubens don’t have far to go when it comes to their mansions.

The two, who live privately, are said to have splendid abodes in Monaco, a tax haven for men with money.

Simon is said to have a flat in Knightsbridge, while David is shacked up in Holland Park.

Their private life’s are just that – David’s wife is Debra, an American designer. Simon is married to Joyce Reuben, and they are sometimes seen at high-society functions, mingling with socialites and hanging out with celeb pals including Joan Collins.

The Reubens share this £19m private jet
Simon Reuben enjoys mingling with high society, but manages to remain privateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Joan Collins is a pal of the Reuben brothersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Simon is married to Joyce ReubenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
David Reuben poses with wife Debra and their daughter LisaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

FOREIGN VENTURES

If a burgeoning London property portfolio isn’t enough, the Reuben brothers have expanded overseas.

They completed the acquisition of the iconic La Palma Hotel in Capri, the first and oldest hotel on the island, opened in 1822, and are planning an extensive renovation.

La Taverna Anema e Core, Capri’s most famous nightclub, comes with that investment – a spot where Hollywood glitterati like Beyonce, J-Lo and Clooney are happy to let down their hair.

Add to that hotels in Mykonos, Ibiza, Greece and the US, you can imagine Newcastle United’s stars may be thinking they’ll be getting mates’ rates when booking their summer holidays.

The Reubens acquired the Hotel La Palma in Capri, ItalyCredit: Alamy
The Hotel La Palma is the oldest hotel on the island of Capri
La Taverna Anema e Core is a nightclub that has hosted George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez and BeyonceCredit: Alamy
El Hotel de Pacha in Ibiza is another hotel the Reuben brothers have invested inCredit: Alamy
The San Remo Hotel de Paris, Luxury Hotel and Spa is also part of the Reubens vast hotel portfolioCredit: Alamy

FAMILY VALUES

The Reuben heirs are just as flamboyant and interesting as their fathers.

James, the son of David, is managing partner of investment firm, Melbury Capital, as well as a director at Britain’s largest horse racing company, Arena Racing Company.

He is  also the first family member to get into football, and currently sits on the board of QPR.

While David’s other son David Jr had a hippyish wedding at the Burning Man festival in Nevada last year, where he married sexy Colombian actress Carolina Guerra.

James Reuben is a friend of the Hollywood glitterati, hanging out with the likes of Justin BieberCredit: Getty Images
James Reuben Jr is also on the board of QPRCredit: Getty Images – Getty
David Reuben Jr had a hippyish wedding at the Burning Man Festival last year to Colombian actress Carolina Guerra
Lisa Reuben, posing with ex Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini, works for SothebysCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Their cousin, Lisa works in the contemporary art department of posh auctioneers Sotheby’s.

Her wedding to coal and steel trader Ron Valk  took place at the plush Monte Carlo Sporting Carlo, which was decorated with 5,000 white roses for the nuptials.

Whatever the Reubens plans for Newcastle are, it’s clear that they’re not afraid of spending a bit of money.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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