Meet Bernie Madoff, the mastermind behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. With a charm as slick as his suits, he convinced thousands to part with their cash, only to find themselves in a world of financial ruin.
From his luxurious penthouse to his stint in prison, we'll take you on a wild ride through the life and times of the one and only Bernie Madoff.
Born in 1954, Bernie grew up in a family of modest means, but that wouldn't stop him from living large. He attended Hofstra University, where he honed his skills in... well, let's just say "creative finance."
He started working at his dad's company, where he learned the art of making money from thin air.
But it wasn't until he founded Madoff Investment Securities that his true talent for swindling the rich and famous was unleashed.
It was a simple plan: take money from unsuspecting investors, pay off a few to keep the scheme alive, and then... well, you guessed it.
He promised returns of up to 10% a year, and boy did they come through - right into his pockets.
But it all came crashing down in 2008, when the market tanked and Bernie's scheme tanked with it.
It was a beautiful day when the SEC came calling, and Bernie's scheme came crumbling down. His investors were left with nothing but a handful of worthless IOUs and a bad taste in their mouths.
From his penthouse apartment to a cell in the slammer, it was a long and winding road.
Bernie was sentenced to 150 years in prison, but let's be real, he won't be seeing his 150th birthday.
But that wasn't the end of it. His wife, Judy, was sentenced to 2 years for her role in the scheme.
And let's not forget his sons, who were given a slap on the wrist for their role in the whole debacle.
So what can we learn from the life and times of Bernie Madoff? That with great power comes great responsibility, and a good lawyer?
Or perhaps, that even the most skilled of swindlers can't fool the system forever?
Either way, it's a lesson that will be remembered for generations to come.
Madoff 2.0 - The Sequel to this epic tale of woe and deception.
Bernie's Brother - the one who got away?