‘The bigger his empire got, the more lonely he became’

From war hero to Labour MP to press baron, Robert Maxwell appeared to be a hugely successful businessman - but the reality was quite different

Robert Maxwell died in mysterious circumstances in late 1991, just as his wide-scale fraud was being uncovered Pic: Getty

November 10, 1991

Robert Maxwell: would-be man of the people, built large fortunes on the backs of others; he ended life in loneliness.

Not the least remarkable aspect of Robert Maxwell’s death was the media response. The circumstances of his demise, with its combination of mystery, luxury and exotic location was obviously a factor. The media fashion for navel-gazing also accounted for a volume of coverage that normally is only accorded to heads ...