Key Takeaways
- Malkoun has close connections with the UAE’s royal family, with a mutual interest in racehorses.
- He became wealthy after a land play in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs, selling a residential development site for $26 million.
- Malkoun survived a car bomb attack in Athens, Greece, and has been receiving stem cell treatments for his injuries.
- He is described as a complex figure, with a history of violence and crime, but also as a family man and romantic.
- Malkoun’s past includes being a nightclub enforcer, strip-club mogul, and leader of a powerful outlaw motorcycle club.
Introduction to Malkoun’s Life
Despite his conviction and criminal associations, Malkoun was allowed to live in the United Arab Emirates, where he has close connections with the Gulf state’s royal family. This relationship is apparently based on a mutual interest in racehorses, with a Dubai royal giving Malkoun an Arabian stallion as a gift. This connection to the royal family has likely provided Malkoun with a level of protection and access to exclusive opportunities. It is interesting to note that Malkoun’s association with the royal family has not been affected by his criminal past, suggesting that his connections and wealth have helped to mitigate any potential consequences.
Malkoun’s Wealth and Business Ventures
Malkoun also became wealthy following a land play in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs, which saw one of his companies sell a residential development site for $26 million. His company, Trash Media, bought the 26-hectare property as a horse farm for $950,000 in 2009, and its value exploded after it was rezoned in 2017. This significant increase in value is a testament to Malkoun’s business acumen and ability to identify lucrative investment opportunities. It is also worth noting that Malkoun’s involvement in the property market has helped to legitimize his wealth and provide a sense of respectability, despite his criminal past.
Malkoun’s Personal Life and Health
Malkoun returned to Melbourne in 2020 to seek specialist medical treatment after surviving a car bomb planted inside his Mercedes outside a gym in Athens, Greece. No one has ever been arrested over the attack, and it is unclear who was responsible. Malkoun has received stem cell treatments at an inner Melbourne clinic for his injuries, which suggests that he has access to high-quality medical care and is taking steps to address his health concerns. This aspect of his life highlights the complexities and risks associated with his lifestyle, and the need for ongoing medical treatment is a reminder of the violent attack he survived.
Malkoun’s Public Image and Persona
In publicity materials promoting The Consultant, Malkoun is described as: "Survivor of the Melbourne underworld wars, and 10 years in Australia’s most brutal prison. Nightclub enforcer and peacemaker. Strip-club mogul and incurable romantic. A family man of deep religious faith who is capable of extreme violence when pushed. A loving father and a loyal son." This description presents a complex and multifaceted individual, with a history of violence and crime, but also a sense of vulnerability and humanity. The use of words like "incurable romantic" and "loving father" suggests that Malkoun is a more nuanced and empathetic person than his criminal past might suggest.
Malkoun’s Career and Legacy
Malkoun’s past includes being a nightclub enforcer, strip-club mogul, and leader of a powerful outlaw motorcycle club. These roles have likely contributed to his reputation and notoriety, and have helped to shape his public image. The fact that he is described as a "negotiator of multi-million-dollar deals in both the boardroom and the backroom" suggests that he has a level of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, which has enabled him to build a successful career despite his criminal associations. Overall, Malkoun’s life and career are a testament to the complexities and challenges of navigating the underworld, and the need to balance personal and professional interests in a high-risk environment.