Maurice Tempelsman, the diamond tycoon who became the steadfast companion of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in her final years, has left us at the age of 95.
According to People, Tempelsman, who passed away on Aug. 23, 2024, due to complications from a fall, was a titan in the diamond trade and a quiet force in political circles, while his personal bond with the former First Lady captured public imagination for decades.
Born in 1929 in Antwerp, Belgium, to an Orthodox Jewish family, Tempelsman’s early life was marked by upheaval as his family fled Nazi invasion in 1940, eventually settling in New York City. It’s a story of resilience, the kind of grit that built America’s immigrant backbone, not the handout culture some push today.
After two years at New York University, Tempelsman left academia to join his father’s business, Leon Tempelsman & Son, diving headfirst into the diamond trade. By 1950, he’d convinced the U.S. government to stockpile African industrial diamonds as strategic reserves, a move that showed foresight in a world often blindsided by crisis.
Acting as a key liaison between African nations like Ghana and Zaire—now the Democratic Republic of Congo—and the U.S., Tempelsman carved out a niche as a global middleman. His business acumen wasn’t just about profit; it was about securing national interests, a concept some modern policymakers might do well to revisit instead of chasing ideological fads.
Starting in the 1950s, he became a significant donor to the Democratic Party, rubbing shoulders with influential figures like Ted Sorensen, Madeleine Albright, and Anthony Lake. While this writer may not align with the left’s agenda, credit must be given to Tempelsman’s ability to build bridges in a polarized world—something sorely missing in today’s culture wars.
In the 1960 election cycle, Tempelsman facilitated a meeting between President-elect John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, and African mining officials, showcasing his knack for connecting power players. A year later, at a 1961 state dinner, he shared a brief conversation in French with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, sparking a friendship that would deepen over time.
After the tragic assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, Tempelsman kept in touch with Jacqueline through letters, maintaining contact even after her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968. His quiet loyalty during her darkest moments speaks to a personal integrity that transcends political divides, a reminder of values often lost in today’s performative outrage.
By the early 1980s, Tempelsman and Jacqueline were seen together publicly, bonded by shared passions for art, music, culture, and the French language. Their relationship, which became romantic, lasted until her passing in 1994, a partnership that seemed rooted in genuine companionship rather than the superficial alliances we often see in elite circles.
In 1993, after Jacqueline’s diagnosis with lymphatic cancer, Tempelsman moved his office into her apartment, escorting her to medical appointments and staying by her side until the end. This kind of devotion cuts through the noise of today’s disposable relationships, showing what commitment looks like without a social media hashtag.
As her financial adviser, he helped grow the $26 million estate left by Aristotle Onassis into a fortune four times that size, proving his savvy extended beyond diamonds to dollars. It’s a stark contrast to the financial mismanagement we see in some government programs, where taxpayer money vanishes into progressive pet projects with little return.
After Jacqueline’s death, Tempelsman honored her memory by commissioning a replica of her iconic diamond-studded band—nicknamed her “swimming ring”—for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wedding ring at the request of John F. Kennedy Jr. It’s a small but poignant gesture, reflecting a respect for legacy that’s often drowned out by today’s obsession with tearing down history.
Tempelsman’s personal life included a long marriage to Lilly Burkos, who passed away in 2022, and together they raised three children—Leon, Marcy, and Rena. Now survived by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, his family legacy stands as a testament to traditional values, a quiet rebuke to the anti-family narratives pushed by some cultural trends.
Even as he navigated high society—attending events like The Africa-America Institute’s gala in 2012 or being photographed with Jacqueline at the New York Public Library in 1982—Tempelsman seemed to prioritize substance over spectacle. In an era where virtue signaling often trumps genuine contribution, his understated influence offers a refreshing counterpoint.
Maurice Tempelsman’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter, one where business, politics, and personal loyalty intertwined to shape a unique American story. While this writer may question the political circles he moved in, there’s no denying his impact or the dignity with which he carried himself—a lesson for all sides in these divisive times.
