Andrew and Tristan Tate: Here's how the controversial brothers established their empire in Romania
SACELE, ROMANIA: After so many years, the controversial brothers, Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are reportedly worth millions, with a Bucharest lifestyle of designer watches, private jets, and an extensive property portfolio. But where did they begin this empire?
It all started with Tate's first Romanian property, which is a far cry from the glitzy lifestyle he paraded in Bucharest before his detention. Located not far from the village of Sacele, it is a squat, three-story structure with yellow walls. The villa at Strada Narciselor's end is surrounded by the fir-covered peaks of the Carpathian Mountains and is situated at the end of a dangerous route.
Where did the brothers' empire begin?
The snowy route outside Sacele becomes just wide enough for a car as it ascends to the villa, with a steep drop on one side. There are a number of compact, useful apartments inside. The Tate brothers started constructing their Romanian business empire in flats 9 and 17, respectively. They purchased the homes from Vasile Mezdrea, a local developer, "in 2015, or early 2016" for less than $37,900 each. Numerous persons informed BBC that other women either resided in their apartments or paid frequent visits. The unnamed person claimed to have heard complaints about n***** ladies being visibly present in the Tates' ground-floor flat.
How do the locals remember them?
Sacele has a lot of people knowing the Tate Brothers, with its post office, pizza restaurant, and slot machines. The Tates are remembered most vividly for their recent return visits when their new flashy cars were unmissable. A local said in a conversation with BBC that they moved to Romania because it "has beautiful women and it's cheaper to live." But he says the brothers had ambitions beyond Sacele. "They always wanted more." Also, there aren't many people who can recall the Tates inside the block. Those who do want to avoid speaking on the record.
"They were contemptuous, arrogant," one said. But "very discreet - there was no music, no fights." Another local reported that Tate's German Shepherd, which was let wild inside the building, bit one of the occupants, and left her with bruises. According to reports, the brothers did not respond to complaints. No wonder they had that influence on people since their initial days in Romania.