Mr. Solomon Barnato Joel, known as “Solly” Joel, a nephew of Barney Barnato, the founder of the family fortunes, died on Friday at the age of 65. He was one of the most prominent figures in the South African gold and diamond industry, and a reputed multi-millionaire.
Solly Joel, the diamond magnate, who died a multi-millionaire was born in an East End public-house and educated at a board school, Mr. Hannen Swaffer writes in “The People”. It was his uncle, the famous Barney Barnato, a hawker in Petticoat-lane, who went to South Africa and founded the immense fortune which Solly Joel and his brother eventually developed. He has left fifteen million pounds, or even twenty, some say, Mr. Swaffer adds.
“Solly” Joel was an observant Jew, the papers write, carefully keeping the Jewish feast and fast days, and he was proud of the fact that he was a Jew. His eldest daughter is not likely to get a penny of his fortune, because she married out of the Jewish faith, it is added.
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