Ben Aronoff is a fictional name for Donald Aronow, a real-life designer, builder, and racer of speedboats. He was the founder of several famous brands, such as Magnum Marine, Cigarette, Donzi, Formula, and Cary. He also had a controversial involvement with drug traffickers, spies, and politicians, which ultimately led to his murder in 1987. In this article, we will explore the life and net worth of Ben Aronoff, the protagonist of the 2018 film Speed Kills.
Early Life and Career
Ben Aronow was born on March 1, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Herman and Ruth Aronow, and had two sisters, Sylvia and Lillian. He graduated from James Madison High School in 1944, and joined the Merchant Marine, serving overseas for the remainder of World War II.
After the war, he returned to New York and started a construction business with his father. He married his first wife, Shirley, in 1949, and had two sons, Michael and Gary. He became a successful contractor, building houses in Long Island and New Jersey.
In 1961, he moved to Miami, Florida, and bought a boat dealership. He soon developed a passion for speedboats, and began designing and building his own models. He launched Magnum Marine in 1966, and created the Cigarette, a sleek and powerful boat that could reach speeds of over 100 mph. He also founded Donzi, Formula, and Cary, and sold his boats to celebrities, royalty, and racers.
He became a legend in the offshore racing circuit, winning several championships and setting world records. He was known for his charisma, competitiveness, and generosity. He also had a lavish lifestyle, owning several luxury cars, mansions, and yachts.
Controversies and Death
Ben Aronoff’s success also attracted trouble. His boats were favored by drug smugglers, who used them to transport cocaine from Colombia to the US. He was also involved with the CIA, who hired him to build boats for covert operations. He had connections with politicians, such as President Richard Nixon and Vice President George H. W. Bush, who were his friends and customers.
He also had a turbulent personal life, divorcing his first wife and marrying three more times. He had affairs with several women, and fathered a daughter, Donna, out of wedlock. He was sued by his former partners and competitors, who accused him of stealing designs and breaching contracts.
On February 3, 1987, Ben Aronow was shot and killed in his Mercedes sports car by a hitman, Robert Young, who was paid $60,000 by Benjamin Kramer, a rival boat builder and drug dealer. Young was arrested and convicted of the murder, and died in prison in 2009. Kramer was also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, but was released in 2017.
Net Worth and Legacy
Ben Aronoff’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $13.5 million, according to Wikibiography. He had a fortune of $40 million in the early 1980s, but lost most of it due to lawsuits, debts, and taxes. He left behind his fourth wife, Lillian, his four children, and his boat empire.
His legacy lives on in the speedboat industry, as his brands and models are still popular and sought-after. His story was also adapted into a film, Speed Kills, starring John Travolta as Ben Aronoff, which was released in 2018. The film received mixed reviews, and was criticized for deviating from the true events and portraying Aronow in a favorable light.
Ben Aronoff was a man of many talents, achievements, and controversies. He was a pioneer, a champion, and a victim of his own ambition. He was the speedboat king, who lived fast and died young.