Brit wine tycoon, 65, dead from mystery cause after being found in his luxury Spanish villa following Italian car rally

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

A BRIT wine tycoon has been found dead at his luxury Spanish villa hours after returning from a car rally in Italy.
Tarik Wildman, 65, died "peacefully" in his
sleep
on Sunday, according to friends, but the cause of death is unknown.
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Tarik Wildman has passed away at 65
Credit: Facebook
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The fun loving socialite died in his sleep at his house in Marbella
Credit: Facebook
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Tarik's grandfather founded a wine empire called Frederick Wildman & Sons
Credit: Facebook
The socialite, who was managing director of PJ Investments according to his
LinkedIn
page, had just returned from running a rally team in
Italy
.
He was a vintage car fanatic and had competed in the iconic Monte Carlo Classic rally.
His paternal grandfather founded the
wine
empire Frederick Wildman & Sons, which to this day turns over hundreds of millions of pounds a year exporting wines and champagne from
France
to the US.
Tarik's British mother, the late Hon Corinna Cunliffe, was a celebrated fashion magazine editor and the daughter of a baron.
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She is pictured in three portraits hanging in the National Portrait Gallery.
He was married to Susan O'Reilly, daughter of the late Sir Anthony O'Reilly - from one of Ireland's most prominent families.
It is believed Tarik owned a six-bedroom, five-bathroom holiday home in the swanky La Virginia neighbourhood of Marbella, with a private
pool
.
The Classic and Sports Car Club of Andalucia, of which Tarik was a member, posted a memorial to him online, which read: "He had just returned from organising and running his Team Schh rally in Italy which he had done in his beautiful Lancia Flamina, a car he loved.
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"He died peacefully in his sleep but, at this moment, the cause is not known.
"He had amazing friends all over the world, had competed in the Monte Carlo Classic rally and had a depth of knowledge of all things that always astonished me.
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"His passion for life in general and motoring in particular was something that others could only envy.
"The world here will never see the like and will never be the same again. RIP Tarik Wildman, a legend and a titan."
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Another friend, US TV personality Ingrid Hoffman, wrote: "Thank you for being a stand up kind and generous friend, host exraurdinaire, creator, planner, navigator and pilot to the most fun adventures and Team Shhhh rally's.
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American TV personality Ingrid Hoffman paid tribute to her friend Tarik online
Credit: Facebook
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Tarik organised a rally team called Team Schh, which he had just been to Italy with
Credit: Facebook
"I am going to miss you and the days and nights spend cooking, talking, drinking, driving and telling stories at your Marbella "La Virginia" and Casa Hombre Salvaje center of the universe of all things fun.
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"Capileira that little house above the clouds you loved so much and took all of your friends so we could love it too.
"Grateful for all the cast of characters now friends you introduced me too. You always wanted all of us to be friends.
"You leave behind a beautiful family a bigger than life legacy.
"I will miss your naughty spirit,
history
lessons, poetry, writings, waking all up to beautiful classical music."
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Tarik was said to have died peacefully in his sleep
Credit: Facebook