Watch the video: Soaring and crashing – what actually happened to Kim Dotcom?
Kim Dotcom was one of the most colorful figures on the Internet scene. His data exchange Megaupload made him a millionaire many times over. He invested his money in luxury, in expensive sports cars, yachts, helicopter flights and a luxurious property. He showcased his wealth in numerous video clips on his YouTube channel. But then the party would suddenly be over. His assets were frozen by the New Zealand authorities. His luxury cars confiscated by the police. The luxury sleighs he had previously celebrated in his video clips were now on government car transporters. The dazzling and ironic special numbers on the signs seemed like a final farewell to a life that the entrepreneur would never live again. Now Kim Dotcom is awaiting extradition to the USA. What happened? Dotcom was born in Kiel in 1974 under the name Kim Schmitz. An arrest warrant was issued against Dotcom by the United States and an extradition request was opened by the FBI for alleged copyright violations in connection with its sharing service Megaupload. Megaupload is said to have caused more than $500 million in damages to copyright holders. If convicted in the US, Dotcom faces a life sentence. Megaupload financed itself through advertising and paid access for subscribers. At times it was one of the most popular websites in the world. The entrepreneur has lived in New Zealand under the name Dotcom for over a decade. In 2017, a court confirmed that the 45-year-old could be extradited to the USA. Dotcom then went to the Supreme Court. And the legal odyssey is not over yet. Dotcom’s lawyers had alleged legal errors and the Supreme Court has now ordered a review. For now, Dotkom can stay in New Zealand. The legal dispute is said to have cost Dotcom a double-digit million amount. But privately, the internet entrepreneur still seems to be doing well despite the threat of extradition. Dotcom presents itself on Instagram with two G-Class Mercedes, Porsche and the ironic license plates are back. Kim Dotcom has been married to Elizabeth Donnelly since 2018. According to recent photos on social media, the two continue to live in a luxury property in a remote part of New Zealand. Kim Dotcom has a total of six children. Today they live the life of a rich influencer family with lots of children’s photos and domestic scenes, but his criminal past is completely forgotten.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
