It has been a long time since we lost this French tycoon, but he was frequently in the news for being involved in one of football’s biggest match-fixing scandals.
This happened shortly after his family made some protests. Putting that aside, what fans are more focused on now is how much Bernard Tapie earned until the end of his life. In other words, what was Bernard Tapie’s wealth?
To start, Bernard Tapie was a multi-talented individual. He was a successful businessman, an occasional actor, a political figure, and a television host. Regarding his political career, he served as the Minister of City Affairs in France. From 1993 to 1996, Bernard was a member of the French Parliament.
When we think about Bernard Tapie’s net worth, we can’t forget to mention Adidas. He owned the brand from 1990 to 1993. He also owned a chain of health product stores called La Vie Claire, which he bought in 1980. And of course, Bernard Tapie’s interest in football led him to become the president of the Olympique de Marseille football team.
Education
Tapie was born in Paris on January 26, 1943, and grew up in a working-class family. He completed his secondary education, although it is not widely known that he attended higher education institutions or pursued formal studies at a university level.
Despite this, he was quick to develop a keen sense of business and self-promotion. His focus shifted to entrepreneurship at a young age, where he honed his skills and began making his mark in the French business scene.
Early Career
In the early stages of his career, Bernard Tapie worked in various fields, but it was his entrepreneurial ventures that truly set him apart. Tapie’s first major business opportunity came when he founded a company that sold appliances.
However, his most important breakthrough occurred when he became involved in sports management, specifically with the acquisition of the football club Olympique de Marseille in 1986.
His involvement with the club not only gave him a platform in the sports world but also allowed him to engage in significant public relations efforts, marking a new chapter in his career.
Tapie’s bold investments and strategies proved successful, and he quickly became known for his aggressive business tactics.
He built his fortune in industries such as real estate, sports, and fashion, often using his celebrity to further his business ventures. His capacity to reinvent himself and adapt to different sectors contributed to his reputation as a sharp businessman who thrived in a variety of environments.
Bernard Tapie (Credits: Net Worth)
Bernard Tapie’s Wife
Bernard Tapie’s personal life also attracted considerable attention. He married Dominique Tapie in 1966, and together, they raised a family. Dominique, his long-time wife, stood by him through various challenges and public controversies.
The couple’s relationship was often in the spotlight, particularly during the turbulent periods of Tapie’s career. Dominique’s unwavering support and their long marriage provided a sense of stability amidst the pressures that came with Bernard’s high-profile lifestyle.
They had children together, and Dominique played a significant role in maintaining the family’s privacy despite the public nature of Tapie’s endeavors.
Business Growth
Tapie’s business growth can be attributed to his keen eye for opportunity and his willingness to take risks. He thrived in a range of industries, expanding his reach beyond just the sports world.
He acquired several companies, including the French retail chain La Vie Claire, which allowed him to further his wealth and influence. His foray into media with the acquisition of TV channel La Cinq was also a significant move, although this later became a contentious point in his career.
A major turning point in Tapie’s business journey occurred when he became embroiled in the sale of the Adidas brand. In 1993, Tapie’s holding company, the Bernard Tapie Group, sold Adidas to the German company, but allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities quickly surfaced.
Tapie became involved in a lengthy legal battle regarding the sale of Adidas, which would impact his business reputation for years to come. Despite this, he continued to thrive in different ventures, often making his name synonymous with bold business moves and controversial decisions.
Net Worth
When talking about his wealth, Bernard Tapie’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be a massive €400 million. His high earnings came from his political, business, and entertainment careers. It’s hard to pick one source as the most important.
Even though Bernard Tapie’s net worth sounds impressive, he didn’t have an easy path to get there. The way he took over bankrupt businesses and proved himself in his field was remarkable.
In France, heirs have the option to accept or refuse an inheritance. When Bernard Tapie passed away, the question arose whether his family would inherit his wealth. It’s important to mention that Bernard Tapie left behind €600 million in debts.
Bernard Tapie (Credits: Net Worth)
With Bernard Tapie’s net worth in mind, it’s necessary to talk about his assets. He owned a large property in Paris, but he sold the mansion for €80 million. Besides that, he had other properties in places like Mandala in Saint-Tropez and Combs-la-Ville.
Let’s not forget Bernard Tapie’s connection to La Provence. The businessman owned 88% of this French daily newspaper, which added a significant amount to his net worth before he passed away.
However, his financial situation fluctuated due to legal battles and the fallout from some of his more contentious business deals. In the 1990s, his involvement in the Adidas scandal led to significant financial losses, and he faced challenges in maintaining his wealth.
Despite these setbacks, Tapie was able to rebuild his fortune through various ventures, investments, and his role in managing sports teams. His net worth fluctuated, but he remained a prominent figure in the French business community until his death in 2021.
Awards
Throughout his career, Bernard Tapie received numerous accolades, both for his business successes and his role in the public sphere. He was awarded various honors in recognition of his work in sports, particularly with Olympique de Marseille.
Under his leadership, the club achieved tremendous success, including winning the prestigious UEFA Champions League in 1993. Tapie’s role in Marseille’s triumph enhanced his status as a key figure in French football history.
In addition to his sports-related achievements, Tapie also earned recognition for his political activities, although these were often overshadowed by controversy. His career included a period as a member of the French Parliament, where he represented the socialist party, further solidifying his position as an influential figure in French society.
Bernard Tapie (Credits: Net Worth)
Despite the controversies that often followed him, Bernard Tapie’s legacy remains significant in both the business world and the French cultural space.
His ability to bounce back from setbacks, his strategic vision in business, and his impact on French sports ensured that he would be remembered as a figure who reshaped industries and became a part of the national conversation.
Bernard Tapie’s Death
Bernard Tapie passed away peacefully at his home on October 3, 2021. He was 78 years old at the time of his sudden death. His family shared the sad news, and everyone was shocked. Despite his age, no one expected this to happen. So, what caused his death?
The main reason for Bernard Tapie’s death was complications from stomach cancer. He had been dealing with this illness for many years. Many people paid tribute to him through social media posts.
President Emmanuel Macron said, “Bernard’s ambition, energy, and enthusiasm were a source of inspiration for generations of French people.” It is still hard to accept that Bernard Tapie is no longer with us.
[Updated: 04/01/2025]
Chinese animation is famously known as Donghua anime which features similar character style, design, and lore that takes inspiration from Japanese animation. Although Donghua itself does not stand out much due to various lacking elements like poorly framed lore or unpleasant voice acting, some Donghua anime have grabbed the attention of the anime community.
Everyone is aware of webtoons which seem to be the colorful and straightforward version of manga, but webtoons also have some mind-blowing storylines by new-generation authors. Similarly, Donghua is popularised due to its aesthetic approach to martial arts, fights, and characters with long hair and flowing capes.
A different approach is taken up by Link Click, which brings the viewer a great blend of pretty-looking characters, a fun storyline, and some fantasy elements to stitch up a good 12-episode show. Here, I will talk about the good and bad sides of this Donghua and whether it is worth your watch! Spoilers ahead!
About Link Click
Link Click is a new-age Donghua produced by Studio LAN and Haoliners Animation League which was first released on Bilibili and Funimation as a 12-episode show. There is no reliable information on who the writer or creator of Link Click is. Still, the donghua quickly gained popularity with its eccentric supernatural approach, mystery, and aesthetic animation.
Synopsis of Link Click
Still from Link Click (Credits: Crunchyroll)
Shiguang Dailiren, popularly known as Link Click, follows the lives of two characters, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who run a photography studio together. What lies behind the studio is a secret shared by the two where they can travel back in time using a photo given by the clients and fix their regrets, but without changing anything in the past or anything that will affect the current future.
Cheng Xiaoshi can go back in time and take up the person’s identity in the photo given while Lu Guang keeps track of the time and all the details to help his partner finish his mission. The only perk here is that they have a 12-hour frame to finish their work and fulfill the client’s requirements without altering the reality to help them make amendments.
Thoughts and Views on Link Click
Still from Link Click (Credits: Crunchyroll)
The first donghua I was introduced to was Big Fish and Begonia; it was one of the best-animated movies I have watched. The details, storyline, characters, and set-up were excellently delivered, and it just probed me to find out more and explore the genre further.
Now, donghua is not quite popular due to the fallout productions suffer in terms of animation and art. It is inevitable to end up comparing any animation that reflects the Japanese form of art and creativity. Link Click was not spared either, but what stands out about this particular donghua is how the storyline was adapted and the efforts put into transforming it into an expressive watch.
Most of the donghua I came across was basically from the BL genre, and that was my first thought when I came across Link Click as well since we have two male main characters that seem to have some chemistry, and yes, I was proven to be wrong. It may seem like a rom-com BL drama, but you would be left surprised by the dark and thrilling concept Link Click delivers.
Still from Link Click (Credits: Crunchyroll)
When we think about time-traveling, it occurs to us to be a kind of an isekai or the main character suddenly going back in time to fix things. Still, Link Click has a very different approach to this concept; both boys have special characteristics regarding time-traveling. Here, we have Xiaoshi, who can turn into the person in the photograph when he goes back in time, but what is special here is that not only he turns into them but also inherits their emotions and feelings, which is not easy to work with.
As minute as Guang’s role seems in the show, he is one of the main reasons everything works out in favor of the boys, as he is the key to knowing and keeping track of all that happens as Xiaoshi goes back in the past. Another thing that stands out about Link Click is the excellent narration. It may seem trivial, but the narration made even the boring and monotonous part sound interesting and engaging, which is rare for donghua.
Every episode gives us a new plot and story that the main characters have to handle, and some leave the viewers on a cliffhanger while the others continue with a great build-up and emotional roller-coaster. The donghua also highlights various difficult topics and emphasizes the relationships of families, friends, loved ones, and strangers that impact the viewer.
Still from Link Click (Credits: Crunchyroll)
Through smart plotting and the proper pacing of multiple interesting instances, mystery, tension, and twists come together as a trifecta. The initial few episodes function as stand-alone short stories, but the plot thickens as cases get longer and more important. I couldn’t skip through any episode, curious enough to know what was at stake.
What lacked a little was the absence of what could have been some good antagonists in the show. There could have been an addition to some evil genius or a rift between the main characters to spice things up. Regardless, the show does not leave the viewers empty-handed. It is well made, and I would give it a brownie point any time of the day.
Moving onto the art style and animation, Link Click did not fail to impress me with the gorgeous production, and the efforts were seen in how each panel captivated the viewers. The character design is similar to what we see in manhwas with bold lines, precision, and geometrically aligned faces which is different than what we see in anime. It may seem a little off, but the sheer details are given to the background, reflections, color scheme, and bold work makes Link Click a great donghua show.
Still from Link Click (Credits: Crunchyroll)
The characters are not very unique or memorable. I already figured out that when I started to watch the donghua. They seemed more like a rip-off version of popular characters from anime, with one having black hair and the other white. It is very generic to have two main characters having opposite hair colors and clothing style aesthetics. But again, both our main characters stand out with their abilities more than their looks. If we look past the generic character design, Link Click does not fail to impress with some hard-core and badass plotline.
Secondly, the soundtracks and OSTs are enjoyable and give a chill lo-fi vibe, so you can unwind and prepare for the next episode. Although there are a few issues regarding voice-overs not being apt or going well in some scenes, I can easily ignore that and focus on what the show has to offer since donghua does have some problems with giving good voice actors to their characters. Overall, Link Click stands out to be at par with much popular anime in terms of character design, story arcs, and development.
Final Verdict
Link Click is a solid watch, in my opinion, that will leave the viewers satisfied with a good plot and good animation. It is no short of a unique experience, and with so many mediocre productions that fail to make sense of their plots, Link Click gives you a chance to break free from the unending cycle of unpleasant watches. If you enjoy mystery and thriller genres like me, Link Click is the best donghua.
With Link Click, Chinese production houses can compete well with Japanese and Korean animation. Link Click was a satisfying watch from the plot to the background sound to the characters. I will not be surprised if it wins the Best Anime of the Year award, as it is as good as any other release.
Our Rating: ⭐ (3.5/5).
