News broke this week that billionaire founder of Corona beer had left a life-altering legacy.
That is, aside from the fact that we’ll be sipping Coronas on docks for years to come.
It was widely reported that Antonino Fernandez – who passed away in August at the age of 99 – left the 80 residents in his home village $2.5 million each.
We guess beer really does a body (and bank account) good.
The beer mogul was born in the Spanish village of Cerezales del Condado in 1917, and emigrated to Mexico with his wife when he was 32-years-old. He went on to make his fortune at Grupo Modelo, the company that brews the beloved lime-stuffed beer we all know and love.
Image: Business Insider
In his will, publications like The Telegraph, The Independent, The New York Post and Time reported, Fernandez left $210 million to the residents of the Spanish village where he grew up in poverty as one of 13 children.
A true self-made success story, he left school when he was 14 because his parents couldn’t afford the cost.
In recent days, media outlets heralded Fernandez for not forgetting his humble roots. He was even honoured by ex-King Juan Carlos for his services to charity.
The generous gift would represent more money than an entire extended family would expect to make in a lifetime combined, in many cases.
The only thing was, it was too good to be true.
Despite being reported on by the major publications (and subsequently being shared on social media channels), the story appears to be a regrettable case of broken telephone.
The Fundación Cerezales Antonino y Cinia, a cultural and contemporary art center established by Fernandez, denies these widespread reports.
“I can confirm he didn’t leave money to his villagers in his will,” Lucia Alajos, the Foundation’s communication department told Mashable.
“His family recently opened his will and we actually don’t know who got the money from his inheritance. But it’s definitely not the town or his neighbours.”
What Fernandez did reportedly leave (for real this time) was generous donations to the village (but not directly to the residents) and a cultural centre paid for out of his legacy.
And we always have his beer. So, cheers to that.
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