Ion Cassian, the patron of the nursing home in Ghermănești, told how difficult it was for Irinel Columbeanu (67 years old) to adapt to the new lifestyle. “After a life of luxury, being left with six suitcases of things is very difficult. It’s a life lesson, from several points of view”, he said.
Irinel Columbeanu is admitted to the asylum Photo: Archive, Adevărul
The former millionaire in euros, Irinel Columbeanu, lost all his fortune, and the palace in Izvorani, where he lived with Monica Gabor’s controversial love story, became a ruin. His health worsened after he suffered two strokes.
Ion Cassian revealed for Click! about the adaptation period of Irinel Columbeanu, at the asylum in Ghermanesti.
“Irinel Columbeanu changed a lot, he adapted, over time, to the realities of life, he got used to us here. Now he is an absolutely normal person, he no longer has those impressions of a rich man, a millionaire, in which he liked to give orders, to have employees. I can say that he became humanized at the asylum. He resigned himself to the thought of what level he is now and it’s ok. However, the sudden transition also brought him two strokes. Over time, we became friends, we say, and on Holidays we invite him to our family, for a meal. He is intelligent, cultured and very well-mannered.” told Ion Cassian, for Click!
He arrived at the hostel in Ghermănești, where he still lives today, with only six suitcases of clothes. “Before, when he was staying at the villa in Izvorani, Irinel Columbeanu had closets full of clothes, plus paintings and expensive things. He came to us with about six suitcases of things, we stored them in a clean shed, he also asks for clothes, depending on the season, but he never gave them to anyone. After a life of luxury, being left with six suitcases of things is very difficult. It’s a life lesson, from several points of view”, said the patron of the asylum.
Irinel Columbeanu still has debts to the banks, and the only source of income is the modest pension. However, he still has the features of a millionaire.
“He has a small pension, a little over 2,000 lei, even after the increases. From this money he also has an attachment. I think that he will not get rid of his bank debts for the rest of his life, because of which he also lost his villa in Izvorani. People still help him with money, even former friends. I promised him that I would host him, at our home, as long as he wanted. He is also pampered, he also has the manners of a millionaire, he likes to always look perfect, like a real businessman. He is always impeccably cut, I go with him to the barber, the girls shave his beard, he is washed and dressed nicely, cleanly, in his expensive clothes, he is in perfect hygienic conditions. Irinel Columbeanu is a smart and well-mannered man, a real pleasure to talk to him”, says Ion Cassian.
