‘Millionaire Castaway' David Glasheen dead at 81 after starring in Channel 5 island doc with Ben Fogle
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Former millionaire David Glasheen, who moved to a desert island after losing his fortune, has died aged 81.
The ex-stockbroker had been living alone on the idyllic Restoration Island, located off North East Australia, since 1997 after losing his fortune in the stock exchange crash 10 years prior.
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Former millionaire David Glasheen has died
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David Glasheen had been living on a desert island for over 20 years
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David featured in Ben Fogle's Channel 5 documentary and showed his stripped back lifestyle
Credit: Instagram / benfogle
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The former millionaire lived in a wooden shack and has a limited internet connection
David featured in Ben Fogle's Channel 5 documentary and showed his stripped back lifestyle, with Australian media hailing him as a "national treasure" and "global icon".
The ex-gold mining tycoon and property magnate, who at his most successful was worth an estimated £22million, lived in a wooden beach shack with only his loyal dog Polly for company.
But despite having limited electricity, fresh water and facing regular battles against deadly wildlife, the bearded exile insisted he felt safe on the island in an interview a few years ago.
He said: "Here there are snakes, spiders and crocodiles but it is safer here than lots of other parts of the world when you hear about terrorist attacks.
"I love it here because I have my safety, no matter how old and how tough you are you still want to go to bed knowing you are not going to be attacked.'
Self-sufficient David, who was born in Sydney's Northern Beaches to an Irish family, added at the time that there was nowhere he'd rather be than on his "heaven on earth" natural paradise.
He said: "I want to die here – where else would I? This is my heaven on earth.
"When I came here I was sick of money – money is what makes people sick – and my marriage had broken apart.
"But being on your own you do miss intelligent conversation and the physical contact of other people.
"I would love to find a partner who wants to live with me here, or a couple of ladies who want to come and visit a couple of times a year.
"The elements and wildlife are dangerous – if you do get into trouble here, you are pretty much dead. The saltwater crocodiles are beautiful animals – they are dangerous but I love them.'
Broadcaster Ben shared the tragic news on social media.
The tribute read: "So sad to hear that Dave Glasheen has passed away.
"He was one of the first Wildmen I visited for New Lives in the Wild.
"He really was one of a kind and I feel so fortunate to have met him a few times and spent time with him on his little Australian paradise.
"Dave was 81 and lived the richest life I know.
"Dave found true happiness when he lost his millions and reconnected with nature.
"Rest in Peace Dave."
Born to a wealthy family originally from County Cork, Ireland, David was educated at a private boarding school and began a career as a businessman after university.
He developed a gold mining company in Papua New Guinea but lost an estimated £5.5 million in the 12 months after the October 1987 global financial crash.
Soon after David's wife left him and when he met a new girlfriend who told him she wanted to run away to a desert island he began searching for such a place.
He first visited the 100-acre Restoration Island – located almost 621 miles from Cairns, the nearest city, in 1993 before moving for good when he secured a 50-year lease from the state of Queensland in May 1997.
And though his then-partner decided life as a hunter gatherer was not for her, David made the exiled existence his own despite legal wrangles over the years.
The bearded castaway entertained backpackers, tourists and even Russell Crowe to his isolated oasis.
An internet connection allowed David to follow the news, keep in touch with the outside world via social media and watch Britain's Got Talent videos on YouTube - once a guilty pleasure of his.
But he has no direct electricity – relying on solar panels and a backup generator – and limited running water was only installed a few years ago.
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