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René Benko

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

Real estate juggler and founder of the largely insolvent Signa conglomerate, bankrupt entrepreneur René Benko, is said to have declared only meagre assets in his bankruptcy proceedings. He is said to be dependent on the help of his mother.

René Benko's empire is slowly but surely collapsing. Allegations of money laundering were made in Germany at the beginning of March and now, for the first time, an official criminal investigation is also underway in Austria. One of many other questions: where have Benko's private assets gone?

A report by the insolvency administrator states that Benko earned 60,480 euros gross per month as an "employee" of Signa Holding until November 2023 - as well as an annual bonus of 2.5 percent of Signa Holding's pre-tax earnings.

29 million euros in salary in 2019 alone
In addition, the fallen entrepreneur received 200,000 to 300,000 euros a year in fees via consultancy contracts with Signa companies. As already revealed in the U Committee, Benko received 29 million euros in fees in 2019 alone.

Earnings of 3700 euros per month
However, according to a report in the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper, Benko currently states that he earns 3,700 euros a month as an employee of two of his companies. He could "only make a living by supporting his family (especially his mother)".

René Benko claims to have only a small fortune.

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

According to the insolvency administrator's report, bank accounts also show "relatively low balances".

On the other hand, persistent rumors about a still lavish lifestyle continue to do the rounds. In any case, the list of assets submitted by Benko is still being examined: According to the land and company register, he has neither real estate nor investments in Austria. No documents are yet available for two other foundations in Liechtenstein ...