Jackie Kennedy's last great love Maurice Tempelsman dies aged 95
Maurice Tempelsman, the final partner of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has died aged 95.
The international diamond merchant died on August 23, due to complications from a fall, his son Leon told The New York Times.
The diamond baron was born on August 26, 1929, in Antwerp, Belgium.
Tempelsman's family fled Nazi persecution in the 1940s and moved to New York City where he attended New York University for two years.
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Maurice Tempelsman, the final partner of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has died. Getty
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He later dropped out and worked with his father on a new business venture, Leon Tempelsman & Son, becoming diamond merchants.
Tempelsman went on to become an internationally recognised and highly influential diamond merchant.
He worked as a diamond consultant for the US government and eventually acted as a middleman between African diamond suppliers and the government.
Tempelsman was romantically linked to Kennedy Onassis, the former US first lady, in the '80s, up until her death in 1994.
The former first lady and the diamond merchant began their relationship in the '80s. Penske Media via Getty Images
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The pair first met through his support of the Democratic Party. He became a major donor for the party from the 1950s, and eventually started befriending White House staff, including John F. Kennedy's speechwriter Ted Sorensen.
Before the 1960 election, Tempelsman set up a meeting with Kennedy, his wife illy Burkos, and African Mining officials. The year after, he attended a dinner with his wife, where he and Kennedy Onassis struck up a friendship.
The pair remained friends for decades, with Tempelsman writing her letters following the assassination of her husband in 1963, and after her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1968.
Their relationship turned romantic years later, following the death of Onassis in 1975.
The pair were often seen together and shared a love for the arts, the French language, music and culture.
When Kennedy Onassis was diagnosed with Lymphatic cancer in 1993, Tempelsman moved his office into her apartment and escorted her to and from hospital.
When Kennedy Onassis was diagnosed with Lymphatic cancer in 1993, Tempelsman moved his office into her apartment and escorted her to and from hospital. Getty
It was widely reported he never left her side leading up to her death.
Following her passing in 1994, Templesman created a replica of a diamond-studded band Kennedy Onassis used to wear for her son John F. Kennedy Jr, who requested a replica of her ring to give to his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
Templesman remained married to his estranged wife, Burkos, until her death in 2022.
He had three children with his estranged wife, Leon, Marcy and Rena.
Templesman is survived by his three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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