Frank's little brother

Everybody knows who Frank Stronach is.

Until now, nobody ever heard of his little brother Hans Adelmann.

Back in the 1950's when Frank was working 25 hours a day getting his Magna empire off the ground, he invited brother Hans along for the ride.

As it turned out, Hans wasn't into working 25 hours a day. In fact, Hans wanted to take a day off now and again to go fishing.

They parted ways in short order. Frank went on to become a billionaire. Hans ended up living a modest life in Switzerland.

Frank would be my kind of billionaire. He actually invited the CAW into his Magna plants to represent the workers, which I believe is unique in the history of North American industrial relations.

After hurricane Katrina he put up his own money to kickstart a model community in Louisiana, Magnaville. Shades of Fordlandia.

Over the years Frank was a big deal in both Conservative and Liberal party politics in Canada. Now in his dotage, he is angling for the premiership of Austria.

Brother Hans meanwhile lived a quiet life. Says he left the employ of his go-getter brother because he never wanted to be gigantic.

And he wasn't. But now he's got a book out that threatens to change that. Einfacher Leben. Simple life.

Why work 25 hours a day when you can work six, have enough to eat and a roof, and spend a life living life instead of accumulating wealth?

That's a question more people should ask themselves.