Jorge Bacardi Cause of Death: How the Rum Heir Lived and Died

Who Was Jorge Bacardi?

Jorge Bacardi was a member of the famous Bacardi family, the owners of one of the world’s largest family-owned spirit companies. He was born in Cuba in 1944 and moved to the United States with his family after the Cuban Revolution. He studied economics and industrial engineering and worked for his family company for several decades.

What Was His Lung Condition?

However, Jorge Bacardi also suffered from a rare and chronic lung condition that made breathing difficult and painful for him. He was misdiagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child and was told he would not live past the age of seven. He defied the odds and survived until his 40s, when he was correctly diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a genetic disorder that affects the movement of cilia, the tiny hair-like structures that line the respiratory tract.

How Did He Receive a Lung Transplant?

Jorge Bacardi’s condition worsened over time and he had to endure multiple infections and surgeries to keep him alive. He was put on the waiting list for a lung transplant and hoped for a miracle. That miracle came in the form of Christopher Gregory, a 19-year-old college student who died of a brain aneurysm in 2008. Christopher was an organ donor and his lungs matched Jorge’s. Jorge underwent a successful double lung transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Florida and was able to breathe normally for the first time in his life.

How Did He Honor His Donor?

Jorge Bacardi was grateful to his donor and called him his “guardian angel, Gabriel”. He wanted to meet his donor’s family and thank them personally. In 2009, he and his wife Leslie traveled to Baltimore and met Christopher’s parents, Eric and Grace, and his sister, Michelle. They shared their stories and emotions and formed a bond of friendship and love.

Jorge and Leslie also wanted to give back to the medical community that saved Jorge’s life. They donated funds to the Mayo Clinic to build a new hospitality house that provides long-term lodging for transplant and oncology patients and their families. The house was named Gabriel House of Care, in honor of Christopher. Jorge and Leslie also supported regenerative medicine research, hoping to advance the field of organ transplantation and help more people in need.

When and How Did He Die?

Jorge Bacardi lived for 12 more years after his lung transplant, enjoying his family, friends, and hobbies. He passed away peacefully at his home in the Bahamas on September 23, 2020, at the age of 76. He was survived by his wife Leslie, his sister Carmen, and his extended family. He was predeceased by his brothers Joaquin and Alberto.

Jorge Bacardi’s life and death were an inspiration to many people. He showed courage, resilience, and gratitude in the face of adversity. He also showed generosity, compassion, and kindness to others. He left a legacy of hope and healing that will continue to touch many lives.

Doms Desk

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