Former businessman Raymond Malenfant died at the age of 91.
His death was confirmed on Friday evening by various sources.
Born in 1930 in Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup, the Quebecer built his wealth in the hotel industry before going bankrupt. Before his descent into hell, his fortune was estimated at $ 400 million in 1987.
Across the province, citizens especially remember that he was the owner of the famous Manoir Richelieu de Charlevoix. The Manor was officially sold to him in 1986. A serious labor dispute with the CSN, violent demonstrations and recourse to the courts also marked his reign.
At the time, Mr. Malenfant also owned the Universal chain, made up of nine hotels, several office towers, conference rooms and a ski center. In high season, it employed around 1000 people.
“My dad didn’t leave me any money, but he showed me how to work,” he once mentioned to explain his success. The son of a farmer, he is the fifth in a family of nine children. He was himself the father of four children.
According to his son, rising interest rates in the early 1990s were enough to put his business at risk. Its bankruptcy was confirmed in 1993.
He attempted a painful return to the industry with Le Vicomte de Laval. Fire, car accident, his success ended in a nightmare. A controversial figure, the public recognizes both his good moves and his bad ones.
In 2011, the Séries + television channel broadcast a four-hour miniseries in which his role was notably played by Luc Picard. The work was produced by Ricardo Trogi.
In recent years, the businessman led a modest life with his son Alain, in Montreal, far from the tumult that accompanied his good years.
