Max Mosley is the president of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the international governing body for Formula One auto racing. Mosley is a former attorney and race car driver. He quit racing in 1969, after surviving two major accidents.
Max Mosley's 39-year-old son was found dead in his apartment in London on May 5, 2009. The apparent cause of death was a drug overdose, the authorities do not suspect foul-play.Guardian.co.uk: Max Mosley's son found dead (May 6, 2009)
Scandal
In late March of 2008, The News Of the World reported that Mosley had been videotaped in a sado-masochistic orgy with five prostitutes. The scenario was particularly disturbing to Jewish groups because the orgy reportedly contained Nazi themes. Mosley subsequently sued the tabloid for invasion of privacy. Testifying in court July 2, 2008, he defended his actions, saying that the orgy was not the Holocaust-fantasy scenario depicted by the article.HeraldSun.com.au: Max Mosley: S&M, yes. Nazis? Never
Controversial Family
Complicating matters in the orgy scandal was Mosley's family background. His father, Oswald Mosley, was head of the British Union of Fascists. Adolf Hitler himself was a friend of Mosley's parents, and was a guest at their wedding.The Independent: Oswald's legacy: Fast cars and fascism (April 2, 2008) Throughout his adult life, Mosley has been vocal in distancing himself from his father's views.The Independent: Oswald's legacy: Fast cars and fascism (April 2, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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Born
April 13, 1940
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Married to Jean Taylor
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Son of Sir Oswald Mosley
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Co-founder of March Engineering, a custom race car manufacturer
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Became legal adviser to Formula One Constructors Association in 1970s
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Elected the president of the FIA in 1993
