Overview

Rene Rivkin (6 June 1944 – 1 May 2005) was a prominent Australian stockbroker and media commentator who rose to public attention for his success in financial markets and his high-profile personality. He was born in Shanghai and later became a well-known figure in Australia's investment community.

Career and public profile

Rivkin made much of his fortune through trading and advising on equities, especially by buying and selling stocks and shares on the Australian market. He extended his influence beyond brokerage by hosting television segments and producing written investment advice. Rivkin fronted a TV program that reached retail investors (television) and published a magazine aimed at helping people learn about investing (magazine).

In the early 2000s Rivkin became embroiled in controversy over his trading practices. Regulators charged that he had used inside information to gain an unfair advantage — allegations often described in popular accounts as having "cheated" in the market. He was convicted of insider trading in 2003 and received a custodial sentence, a conviction that ended his active role as a public investment adviser (legal case).

Mental health, imprisonment and death

The legal process and subsequent imprisonment affected Rivkin's mental health. He was reported to be depressed while facing sentencing and time in custody. After being released from prison he took his own life in Sydney; news accounts describe his death as a suicide (suicide) in Sydney on 1 May 2005.

Television interview and public reaction

Some of the public attention on Rivkin intensified after a televised interview in which he said he would kill himself if sent to prison. The interview, conducted on the program Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, was widely discussed afterward; the interviewer expressed deep sadness about the outcome. The exchange prompted debate about media responsibility, the treatment of high-profile defendants and the role of journalists when discussing vulnerable individuals.

Legacy and broader significance

Rivkin's life and career remain notable for a number of reasons:

  • He brought investment commentary into mainstream Australian media and popularized stock-market talk for retail investors.
  • His conviction highlighted the enforcement of insider trading laws and drew public attention to ethics in financial markets.
  • The circumstances of his death sparked discussion about mental health support for people under legal and media pressure.

Today Rivkin is remembered both for his financial success and for the controversies that marked his later years. His story continues to be cited in conversations about the intersection of finance, law and media responsibility.