Tributes have poured in for a British wine tycoon and member of high society who was reportedly found dead at his luxury villa in Marbella at the weekend.
Friends of Tarik Wildman, 65, told the Spanish Eye he was discovered just hours after returning from a car rally in Italy on Sunday.
A close friend added that he was found in his home in the upmarket and gated La Virginia complex.
He said all signs pointed to natural causes being behind the death, but that an autopsy will shed more light on what happened.
The Spanish Eye has contacted the local police and authorities in Marbella for comment.
Wildman’s American father was Frederick Wildman Jnr, son of Frederick Wildman Snr, who founded the family’s wine empire in the 1950s.
Frederick Wildman & Sons exports wines and champagne from France to the US and remains a multi-million dollar business.
Wildman’s British mother, the late Hon Corinna Cunliffe, was a famous fashion magazine editor and the daughter of a baron. Three portraits of her hang in London’s National Portrait Gallery.
He was also married to the daughter of the late Sir Anthony O’Reilly, from Ireland’s most prominent family.
Tarik had owned his villa in Marbella for decades and also had a mountainside villa in the quaint village of Capileira, Granada, about a two hours’ drive inland.
Tarik’s friend from the Classic and Sports Car Club of Andalucia (CSCCA) wrote: ‘It is with the utmost sadness that I have to report the death today of my great friend and CSCCA stalwart, Tarik Wildman.
‘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.
‘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.
‘His passion for life in general and motoring in particular was something that others could only envy.
‘To all his amazing friends, to Susy, his wife and to all the family left behind our heartfelt sympathies go out to you.
‘Tarik, you were taken too soon and I for one am going to really miss you.
‘The world here will never see the like and will never be the same again. RIP Tarik Wildman, a legend and a titan.’
Tarik was known to be a speed freak rally driver and a vintage car enthusiast – and once filmed himself driving 190mph in North Africa.
Former model and current writer and campaigner Kristiane Backer said: ‘We are all devastated and desperate to hear what happened, Tarik was a party animal and such a force of nature, a kind, thoughtful man… I was due to see him soon , it is very sad’.
Tarik was a well-connected figure, whose friends included the Duke of Rutlands ex-mistress Andrea Webb and the Hon Alexandra Foley.
Close friend Ingrid Hoffman wrtote: ‘Thank you for being a stand up kind and generous friend, host extraordinaire, creator, planner, navigator and pilot to the most fun adventures…
‘I am going to miss you and the days and nights spent cooking, talking, drinking, driving and telling stories at your Marbella ‘La Virginia’ and Casa Hombre Salvaje, centre of the universe of all things fun.’
She added: ‘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 to 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 up to beautiful classical music. I hear your voice saying Hello Kleine Fuhrer. My condolences to Suzy, kids and all the loving friends you so loved.’
