Robert Maxwell was a British media proprietor and former member of Parliament, born on June 10, 1923, in Czechoslovakia. He became known for acquiring several major publishing companies, including Macmillan Publishers and The Daily Mirror. His business practices were often controversial, and he was known for his flamboyant lifestyle. Maxwell's life ended dramatically when he was found dead in 1991, having fallen from his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, near the Canary Islands. Following his death, it was revealed that he had misappropriated funds from his companies' pension schemes, leading to significant financial scandals and investigations into his business dealings.