2011: The Madoff family speaks to 60 Minutes

[@embeth446]

She married the man at 18, practically a child herself. They grew up together. He was all she knew. I always thought she was treated a bit harshly for not immediately cutting ties with him. It wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Odd story about the attempted suicide though. Rather than writing their sons letters of apology or love they just sent them a bag of jewels in the mail with no explanation. Shows the role that material things played in their lives.

[@pineapplewatch41]

Sounds like my girl right now , got with her in 2012 and still going on with scandal I’ve committed

[@mrsx7944]

I agree.

[@darkeyezs]

She met him at 13. Truly a child.

[@darkeyezs]

@@pineapplewatch41 Scandal you've committed?

[@thepotatoincident3593]

@@darkeyezs Im not sure bernie's croaked it, this fella seems like him

[@stefaniac2095]

This man killed his family and destroyed thousands. A true tragedy. I am so sorry for all his victims

[@LassieFarm]

Victims?? 12 percent returns every year? They knew something was fishy. More like greedy fools than victims

[@thecarpetman7687]

@@LassieFarm a lot of them definitely must have suspected something…but I reckon they figured that if you are at the top of the Ponzi scheme and in it a long time…you will always get dividends while the newer entrants get nothing

[@frankiet7911]

@@LassieFarm I agree..Bit of both let's say. That return it's impossible.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

@@LassieFarm That's exactly how Bernie explained away what he did. He said his "investors" were greedy suckers, who got what they deserved.

[@Justice-ef9sk]

@@LassieFarmTHANK YOU!!

[@Dk-jj3vu]

I have no sympathy for the Patriarch of this family, but Ruth’s thinking, my pop worked the same job for 30 years and took care of the family bills, and I know my mom has zero clue what the internet bill costs per month and what exactly he did at his job. The reporter saying “people can’t believe”, I can absolutely believe their story. When the family patriarch can be described as a bully, you learn to only ask what you absolutely need to know about.

[@johnhagans2190]

This is why we need to empower our daughters. Don’t take things for granted. Ask questions, family finance should be everyone’s concern.

[@rachelm.3173]

@@johnhagans2190 💯

[@neverwinta7702]

They knew

[@margaret928]

I agree especially woman from that generation often let their husbands take care of the finances. My uncle died and left my aunt broke. She had no idea he was that bad with money

[@swtcarmel1]

💯

[@neilcunninghammedia]

I've watched this so many times. Ruth's account of events is so compelling.

[@missb3161]

Right !

[@МишаХопин]

So doesn’t makes any cents just like Farackaway Beach construction which took forever

[@bobbyheenan4061]

The Madoffs lived the GOOD life for a long time. Ruth got to keep $2M until she dies. Not too bad!!

[@angelcitygirl]

I just finished watching the Netflix 4 part series. It's actually super sad. Everyone around Bernie, not just those who "invested" were devastated. Mark committee suicide. Andrew died of cancer in 2014. Thierry a big investor also killed himself. Ruth is still alive but was stripped of almost all the remaining $70 million left. It's just eye opening to see the devastation. Bernie died in 2021.

[@JoshMaxPower]

She’s still got 2 million and a three-room house, which is more than I got. And, hey,, she spent decades living a life of absolute luxury and zero work, adding nothing of value to the world. F her.

[@hotanez99]

That is what you call karma, my friend. What goes around, comes around.

[@govindagovindaji4662]

@@hotanez99 No, that is not karma for them. It is more like "sins of the father"...

[@Bayleferred]

@@hotanez99karma? What did these people do to deserve this?

[@gustavocarvalho1346]

Thierry was not a big investor. He was a salesman who also happened to be an european aristocrat. His job was to convince Europe's elite to invest in his fund that had "privileged" access to the Madoff fund. He was someone collecting fees.

[@electrofonickitty823]

Andrew sounds so disappointed with his dad. I do say I believe him, he sounds sincere and doesn't ask for forgiveness for his father's crimes.

[@alexam6959]

It’s sad when you find out the person you admired is actually not what you taught… the person you taught to be moral and the closest to what you would think has an exemple of excellence turns out to be a narcissist… it’s sad… frustrating… destroys your reality, your soul… it might have destroyed them more than we can imagine… it’s terrible how a father can destroy his family… narcissism its like poison…

[@BBB-rd2qi]

@@alexam6959- Well said! You are spot on.

[@rckkeller9437]

The SEC should be held 75% responsible for this whole debacle. They should have known and protected the public.

[@chrismartin6370]

They DID know and had been repeatedly alerted for approx 10 years prior to this coming to light. They gave him a pass. No accountability.

[@DTS45]

Exactly! Where were the regulators? We don’t know if his wife knew… but there is ZERO doubt the SEC knew or should have known.

[@drabberfrog]

Lol why should the government be more responsible than the con man? Whatever happened to personal responsibility????

[@victorblock3421]

Over 90% lost was recovered.

[@VeraGunn]

Thank the gop for deregulation

[@CollinSamatas]

This is just so incredibly sad. Ruined lives and victims everywhere…So many people lost so much.

[@mr.rightnow.7300]

Kevin bacon is a friend of mine. Not an A list actor but very comfortable financially. Bernie got 14 million out of Kevin and Kiera. It was a chunk but not everything they had thank goodness. Some people weren't so lucky. Stupidly they tied all their money up in him and lost it all. People went to bed multimillionaire,s and woke up broke and in debt.

[@GS-zc4sk]

Oh well

[@GS-zc4sk]

Where's the other 2 trollers?? It's neverending.

[@cleobuck7717]

Meaning two in the bushes !

[@ultimatedouchebag6760]

greed and evil walks hand and hand......you mean so many greedy people lost so much by evil.

[@Kiinell]

I totally believe Ruth. My father was the same. Never discussed anything with my mother when it came to money. Wives of that generation didn't ask questions.

[@Justice-ef9sk]

I agree. My husband is a carpenter. He builds houses, garages, decks….. he can build and side just about anything. We have been married almost 25 years and I can honestly say: I couldn’t tell you the difference between a 2 x 4 and a 2 x 6. I don’t know anything about J channel or soffit, couldn’t tell you the difference between a hip roof and a gable and don’t even ask me about the gazillion different kinds of nails!!! lol My point is… Just because we are married to a man that is very good in his trade doesn’t mean we know what the hell he’s doing at work!

[@robinali6903]

Cool story bro

[@elikatsis3947]

@justice…..I appreciate your input…….I can see similar patterns in my own life and relationships

[@yvankrzeslo6366]

same from my parents

[@briansanford1721]

HAH! Ruthy said: "I cooked", What, the books?!?

[@2003BMW325i]

I love the way she talks. Her cadence and the slow speech is so soothing to me

[@clootscalhoun9481]

Totally agree! I feel beyond horrible for her and I believe her story. And yes a very pleasant demeanor and communication style.

[@lisannewelch2277]

Bernie made a deal to specifically take the hit for her and there was so much evidence that she was involved that the investigators nicknamed her "Ruthie the Cook" but aS LoNg As ShE hAs A sOoThInG vOiCe then it's ok I guess . 🤦‍♀️🤡

[@colinmclennan1465]

They might not have gone to jail, but Ruth and the kids paid a heavy price anyway.

[@danger26102]

Ruth paid a heavy price??? she lost the stuff that’s not even hers to begin with lol

[@colinmclennan1465]

@@danger26102 I was referring to her having two dead sons. That's before you get to the shame, and being shunned in all the circles she once moved in. Not jail, but not a happy ending either.

[@danger26102]

@@colinmclennan1465 thumbs up

[@colenexoxo8939]

@@colinmclennan1465 She paid a Very Heavy Price. I Agree.

[@Chinookman]

2 dead sons. I’ve read everything I can find. And I’ve personally known several women very much like Ruth. Exactly like Ruth. She had no idea. She is another victim I’m my opinion.

[@greenbeagle13]

Why would anyone doubt him back then. He was knighted by the folks who were supposed to watch over him. 🙄

[@cadillacholmes4836]

Yup unfortunately I know so many people who would sell, they're soul for money its path

[@clootscalhoun9481]

Well said and I totally agree. If you’re not a financial wizard, I can’t imagine somebody would suspect anything.

[@kalipress4338]

She came from a time in history when women became dedicated wives. She strikes me as a woman who relied solely on her husband. So one can understand how she continued to support him after he was arrested. Hope she’s living a more peaceful life now.

[@jeanettecook1088]

I too was ruined and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars by my husband, who I trusted. I had no idea what a thief he was until after I divorced him, and had to dispose of property he'd stolen while we were married. It is possible to be married and have no idea about a spouse's activities. I empathize with the family here... it happened to me, on a smaller scale.

[@allanfifield8256]

My second wife ran up ten's of thousands of credit card debt and spent it on God-Knows-What. I had no idea. Community Property state.

[@jeanettecook1088]

@@allanfifield8256 That may be, but from what I understand the credit card debt belongs to the card holder alone. If she held it only in her name, according to my banker, it's her debt alone. Have you looked into that? We also have cards, my present husband and I. He also has issues with spending, and several debts, but I'm not too concerned since I work a job now that will probably help us pay them off. I hope you recover your funds.

[@allanfifield8256]

@@jeanettecook1088 It was 20 years ago.

[@gracie3174]

Same happened to me.

[@abhishekbasu8694]

​@@kingdarius5252 his 1 son commited suicide in 2009 or 10. His other son died of cancer in 2014

[@jninlove]

I really feel for Mark and Andrew. Stay strong for the loved ones and ones who love you in the situation.

[@gabriella3763]

They both passed shortly after. It’s very sad.

[@toughtittypdiddy4634]

Only the mom is still alive

[@lolacole5653]

Mark committed suicide and Andrew died of illness.

[@dkupke]

Funk them. They were both in on it. Hell is not hot e enough.

[@rumblefish9]

@@lolacole5653 Andrew died of cancer and his wife says that his father's crimes really took its toll on his ability to fight the illness

[@tessahall797]

Betrayal is one of the most complex and difficult emotions to get through. Betrayal from romantic partner is traumatizing. Can you imagine such betrayal from your own father???

[@patriciavandevelde5469]

Alain de coninck a belgium aristocratic penniless conman stole 2 houses from me with the help of his sicilian mother! He lives with 5th wife Jeanette gilmann in Zurich!

[@tinabirdshafer]

this is Shakesperean , a true tragedy for this family.

[@eightiesaddictone9063]

The worst part was Madoff was so unbelievably arrogant and unremorseful.

[@oakstgorillas]

the arrogance and greed and lack of remorse of the investors while they believed they were making unreal profits shows the immorality of the system and the players. everyone knew it was a joke but they all were getting away with it, big time!

[@jaknap1]

That’s why he was able to pull this off and fool so many smart people. Investment firms blindly gave him millions $$$ without asking any questions and validating anything.

[@oakstgorillas]

@@jaknap1…. smart people? fooled? everyone knew 10% every year can not be legit but mansions in Conn. were built by those who sold his lies! they were doing people favors letting them in on the promised profits.

[@Commentator541]

Thi is why he is so successful! Much to learn from him.

[@oakstgorillas]

@@Commentator541.... who to be and who not to be.

[@UncleTravelingMac81]

The comments on here are not what I expected....they're one of those rare occasions when I'm not disgusted by society. I also found the family to be credible and feel bad for what he put them through. An all around terrible situation. As always, a great interview by Morley Safer; he was a very good journalist.

[@sarahuber8567]

Andrew so well spoken and what a beauty his girlfriend is. So sad he passed away.

[@redwingsfan3621]

She is beautiful indeed

[@HouseofStaci]

Your content is amazing - no interruptions, no tipping callouts, cogent expert commentary. You do amazing work.

[@pavanatanaya]

They were kept in the dark by comfort and ease

[@jay4you853]

Or trust. When you're married with someone for years most of the time you trust them with your life. Many people get cheated on like just that. They loved they clearly comfort but I think the main issue was trust.

[@pavanatanaya]

@@jay4you853 Fair enough. Perhaps that works for the wife. The kids were in the company

[@zazubombay]

@@jay4you853 Yes.

[@mccormickshiddenhomestead1147]

Serial killers live double lives. Plenty of people never know about their spouses crime. It's not hard to believe they didn't know.

[@Cris-hk4cn]

Absolutely right

[@yesterdayitrained]

Exactly!

[@curiousworld7912]

Dennis Rader, the 'BTK killer', had a family who knew nothing of his crimes. I agree; I think it's very possible for even those close to each other, to never really know what secrets can be kept. I believe it's completely credible that Madoff's wife and sons had no idea that his business was all a lie.

[@4465Vman]

agreed

[@9876karthi]

Yap, the lady has lost both of her sons, she has really to live with what is it all worth of? Possibly she was living under the shade of her well doing husband, not questioning things she may not understand.

[@kathCT]

I’m very sorry that Andrew and Mark passed away. Thinking of their children and Ruth.

[@Pulsonar]

I never thought the Madoff family were completely innocent of knowledge of Bernie’s crimes until I saw this. The wife was just plain ignorant, but the boys knew nothing, that much is clear. Andrew has the look of a man who has had the soul ripped out of him. He answered every question without hesitation, a quiet rage caused by his fathers unbelievable crime and the devastating fall-out still burns deep within.

[@rudyavila1825]

Looks can be very deceiving. I can't say for certain that Bernie's family was in on it, but I also can't say for certain that they weren't. There is more I want to say regarding this, but it's ultimately fruitless because both sons are dead and Ruth, be she innocent or guilty, has paid dearly. She lost her sons, her husband, her great wealth and her reputation. Part of me feels sorry for her.

[@gabriel08607]

I read somewhere that right before Bernie was arrested, Ruth made a large withdrawal and separated her money out of their joint account. If that’s true, I HIGHLY doubt she didn’t know something was up

[@oscarlandag1831]

Of course they were in on it if you follow the market it's obvious.

[@rumblefish9]

The wife knew but was complacent because she was getting everything she wanted. But his sons didn't because they turned him in to the authorities.

[@oscarlandag1831]

@@rumblefish9 your a fool if you believe that. I trade for a living and there's no way they wouldn't have noticed his returns not matching price action. He told them to turn him in so it would appear they were innocent they were all in on it

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

I am impressed by his humility,and honesty poor son

[@toouniquetobe]

Well rehearsed, advised by top lawyers, lifetime eduction to lie by his top liar father.

[@Soupypoopy71]

@@toouniquetobe I think his son is truly innocent

[@spic0li]

LoL He was in on it too along with Mark. Please do some research before you pull out the violin 🎻comment

[@dougiesherwin9591]

Except he's lying, which makes his "honesty," a delusion on your part.

[@randomdude5938]

@@dougiesherwin9591 except no one who has done any research actually thinks that.

[@mpho87]

I feel really bad how this families story turned out all because of greed. Truly heartbreaking.

[@pjaypender1009]

Feel bad? Really? I have no sympathy for Bernie Madoff's wife. The kids I have some sympathy for, but the wife? Nope.

[@mpho87]

@@pjaypender1009 what I mean is that all this did not have to happen if it was not for greed and that is heartbreaking.

[@thisismymelody]

Every family in America is greedy , Bernie did no wrong

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

@@pjaypender1009 we should not judge others for they two are gods force

[@tiararoxeanne1318]

​​@@pjaypender1009She was 18 when she married Bernie, then became a Stay At Home Mother (SAHM) all of her life. Never got enough education to understand how a business works, moreover a complex one like the trading, investment, and asset management business that his husband run. She even didn't know what a Ponzi scheme was (they taught about it in college, not in high school). I believe she was blindsided, as their children were. One key factors why Bernie has successfully run his scheme for more or less 30 years is that he knew how to keep his mouth shut. And it started by keeping it a secret from his own family.

[@LC-pm2fy]

Beautifully produced piece, really crazy stuff

[@Starfish2145]

Madoff destroyed his whole family. So sad.

[@capricemadrid5353]

who cares about the Madoffs, its the other families he destroyed

[@karinliss9599]

So selfish

[@GolfDuff]

@@capricemadrid5353 so true!!!

[@niks8521]

@@capricemadrid5353 how about caring for them ALL,as they are ALL suffering??? People are so quick to dish out their opinions of someone, but forget the same measure of judgment u give is gonna come back to either you or your loved one(s)

[@scottodonnell7121]

@@capricemadrid5353 would have been a good case for the death penalty

[@isimonsez]

I feel bad for Ruth... finding out her husband swindled people and losing a son to cancer and another to suicide. I believe they were unaware and even Bernie's secretary said the sons weren't allowed on the other floor...that's where the crimes were happening

[@preciousone9377]

Being told not to come on the 19th floor should’ve raised all sorts of red flags if you ask me.

[@tanishashipp8623]

I think her response of " I would've left...can't say I would've turned him in "....was a very honest answer

[@gmamose9152]

That was such a great interview. I never knew much about the family of BM but I found them to be genuine. They've got a lot to heal from and I wish them well.

[@sandrasmith5793]

Really what about the families that lost everything? I have no sympathy for them!

[@dosman3458]

Both sons died. It's just Ruth left.

[@phriedokra6158]

Bernie thought they would continue the grift perhaps?

[@musicfanhawk4523]

@@sandrasmith5793 I believe it has been documented that the people that invested got their money back! I'd say getting back ANY of the money is a win. His family suffered long after, and the sons died, wife left by herself.

[@hiphopjewels]

@@phriedokra6158 I wondered that too, but I doubt it. He only told his sons because he was broke and could not continue the scheme. He could not repay people, so it was definitely over, and he was about to be exposed. With no money, the sons would not have been able to continue anyway.

[@leesher1845]

Mrs. Madoff was a beautiful young woman. I believe her and I believe her son.

[@Cris-hk4cn]

Me as well.

[@gretagordon6346]

0

[@Tkb135]

She’s beautiful so you believe her? The only reason I believe her is because she is clearly an idiot.

[@luisdeleon9819]

Why? Because she is beautiful? The Melania syndrome.

[@kcjones8998]

@@luisdeleon9819 Everything always comes back to trump

[@jeremyexalted8572]

Mardoff was an authority in the industry trusted by all and sundry and just how many people know exactly what their parents and spouses are doing in the office ???

[@serenity2655]

I certainly didn't.

[@elizabethgrogan8553]

@@serenity2655 I did, but only because my father loved to have us visit him there occasionally. He adored his wife and children and would never have betrayed us. We always felt secure with our parents.

[@pty1pty2]

What an inmense tragedy .RIP the 2 sons.

[@fannyfayvintage7668]

She dated him since she was 18 years old in 1959, how worldly is an 18 year old girl in 1959?....she was naive and she probably didn't question anything he did. Why would she question their good fortune? She didn't wonder why they were super wealthy, she had a big-shot successful husband, nice sons, a great life.

[@thejjjs7786]

She was 13 years old when they met and started dating.

[@melanielapan4632]

Wow I was just reading the last son Andrew died from cancer. Probably created by the stress. Both sons gone, how sad for Ruth. Hope she finds some peace.

[@rasul407]

Are you serious?

[@rhino5100]

@@rasul407 Yes. Andrew Madoff/Cause of death Lymphoma His younger brother, Andrew, died from lymphoma in 2014. He was 48. Like his mother, Andrew was never charged in his father's scheme and denied knowing what his father had been doing for decades. Apr 15, 2021

[@brettneuberger6466]

So sad.

[@mcq9667]

@@rhino5100 Their son, Mark, died by suicide through hanging, not lymphoma. Their son, Andrew (interviewed here), did die of lymphoma.

[@rhino5100]

@@mcq9667 Yes, I know. The start of my response says "Andrew Madoff". I read the book Mark Maddoff's widow wrote in response to her husband's suicide.

[@Cris-hk4cn]

I feel so sorry for the family. I don't know how a father could hurt his family so bad. Greed is satanic a act.

[@mmb2211]

And if the family got together that evening and the father told their kids to turn him in so it would look as if they new nothing about it? Family is family.

[@danger26102]

Bernie was the goose that lays the golden egg

[@capricemadrid5353]

Ruth had expectations

[@lyndasheridan9018]

Greed is human

[@luisdeleon9819]

I feel for the people that Madoff victimized. His family not so much.

[@abeltesfaye_]

Who I really feel bad for are Andrew and Mark. Andrew was a man of true integrity for holding his dad accountable and my heart breaks for his fiance. He even left over 5 million to his estranged wife... in my eyes, that shows that this man really was a beautiful soul. Possibly the only good thing Bernie did was having a son with as much integrity as Andrew (and Mark)

[@jenniferlawrence9473]

Yes, no matter what happened, they raised good children. At least that's a positive.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

Sorry but no matter what anyone believes, it's clear Andrew and Mark knew the truth.

[@starstruckstar2597]

@@dougiesherwin9591 they did not know and all of the investigations proved that to be true.

[@lesleybartlett7177]

I do believe they did not know. This interview was heartbreaking - my eyes kept leaking. This lady really loved this man. I hope she finds interests that will make her feel her life is worth something again. Her son has obviously been brought up with integrity and self worth. Maybe she could be a wonderful influence on children somewhere, maybe with children in care or something, l finished reading this liking her immensely.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

@@starstruckstar2597 His sons ran the trading desk where he allegedly did his trades. He did no trades at all. They had to know. And btw, that desk was known on wall street for cheating its customers, front-running etc. Goldman Sachs refused to trade with MADF. So did the desk where my hedge fund was domiciled. His sons knew he was a crook; no investigation could possibly prove otherwise.

[@cz2165]

Michelle Pfieffer really nailed her portrayal of Ruth Madoff in the HBO movie. I actually feel a little sorry for Ruth.

[@jenniferlawrence9473]

Having been in the corporate world for 25 years, I've always said business breeds psychopaths. But they're able to get away with their crimes because it's 'just business.'

[@Sunshine-rq1ow]

What was the movie called?

[@clootscalhoun9481]

I feel horrible for her. I 100% believe her.

[@latoya1591]

I could listen to her speak all day. So gentle and dignified.

[@Arrow-wv9ww]

Ruth, is a loyal Soul. Really sad that her son couldn’t cope with and ended his own life. Never harm yourself. ❤️

[@DerSpielfuehrer]

She is still alive. And rich.

[@josephbishara4791]

Never harm yourself? You think it's better to live in pain. What if the pain is unbearable? It takes courage to end pain when pain becomes unbearable.

[@phriedokra6158]

Really harder for some religious Jews ...dont think he was that devout

[@betsybabf748]

@@DerSpielfuehrer When one loses people, especially their child, alive and rich mean nothing but pain.

[@betsybabf748]

@@josephbishara4791 Suicide doesn't end pain. It takes it, magnifies it by 1000s and gives it to the innocent people who love you, so no, one should never harm themselves and it is not courage. Living through pain to not give harder pain to loved ones is where one has courage.

[@dude999642]

He was the most trusted con-man of all time ($65 billion), so it's fairly understandable that said super con-man could even fool his own family for 15 years or so.

[@atri-us]

When the cast of "Wizard of Lies" said that they were convinced Ruth had not known about the criminality of her husband I was surprised. Having watched this interview I have come to agree with them.

[@richardclegg5853]

I don't think she knew, but the devastating loss she's had to live through is so much worse than a life sentance even if she was aware of what he was up to... heartbreaking, seems like a lovely family

[@tiararoxeanne1318]

One of the key factors why his lies had went for about 30 years, more or less, is that he knew how to keep his mouth shut. And it started by keeping it secret from his own family.

[@МишаХопин]

She looks like a Madonna, may she still can go dance in Trump Tower 😮😅

[@bobbyheenan4061]

She knew

[@beezlebub9]

Having worked in family businesses, I absolutely believe that his sons didn’t know and were told this. 5:53

[@kathleensumpf3715]

Sending Blessings, I know what it’s like to have a parent betray u

[@hodell82]

What an unbelievably sad story. I think that Madoff's wife and two sons were completely innocent and unaware of Madoff's crimes. And especially sad for Ruth Madoff - both her sons are gone now and she has nothing to show for a life completely destroyed by one man.

[@jaknap1]

I don’t know about innocent. They all ignored what they didn’t want to know. We all have gut feeling when something is not right. The sons and wife were with this man for 20+ years and not once they felt something was wrong? I find that very hard to believe.

[@4465Vman]

theres LOTs of families where the spouse and kids dont really know what the father does specifically!! also if he keeps giving them gifts and millions theres even less motivation to suspect..they just rode the gravy train

[@musicfanhawk4523]

@@jaknap1 They weren't allowed to know! Even if asking him questions, his answers were vague and they knew to not be intrusive.Madoff was a terrible controlling person.just look how beat down his wife is.

[@froggreen2067]

The sons are gone, where to?

[@4465Vman]

@@froggreen2067 one hung himself he was so distressed

[@barbaraschultz1442]

I believe that she had no idea what her husband did. I had no idea what my husband did when I was a stay at home mom.

[@alongfellow4147]

Same here, turns out he was with another woman

[@gustavocarvalho1346]

people like to blame stay at home moms. I mean, Bernie was not a taxi driver making millions lol. All the major banks of Europe invested in Bernie's funds.

[@AmziAsher]

RIP Mark & Andrew. ❤

[@freddyhoyt1849]

This is a sad interview I don’t know how someone could do this to so many people ruined their lives

[@sheskates6551]

Nobody asks questions when the money is abundant

[@rudyavila1825]

EXACTLY!!! Even if they suspected something, it was in their best interest not to ask questions.

[@zazubombay]

That's right. And his investors didn't bother to question or investigate when they were getting higher returns than the rest of the market, did they?

[@70s80sVintage]

Honestly, I started watching this video with a very harsh opinion of the family - I ended thinking something quite different. This family was as surprised as everyone - you can see the absolutely pain and shame in their eyes.

[@TerrySleuth]

They're selling financial shares. Get in ground floor if you believe their innocent

[@missfaztudo9312]

Aham, but the wife still enjoy the dirt money that Maddof made our of this.

[@nosyrosie6947]

Like his father, he is an excellent liar.

[@numbereightyseven]

@@missfaztudo9312 Of course she does. Who wouldn't? YOU, for one. ... hypocrite.

[@todaysrules6730]

Don't believe them, especially the wife!

[@msozzaric2638]

Just learned that Andrew passed from cancer in 2014. This woman could not have gone through more heartache Everyone she loved everything she had gone…

[@Happyboymargarine]

She had an amazing life for 30 years that 99 percent of people will never experience. Don’t feel too bad

[@p.t.4960]

She's a regular Carmella Soprano

[@francenekomsa8157]

What about the people who lost everything they had to this man. She knew and she lived a very good life. I believe the son but not her.

[@msozzaric2638]

@@francenekomsa8157 i didn’t defend her. I just pointed out the fact that regardless of her involvement life could not be shittier for her. Losing money is one thing, losing a child is a whole other

[@carlosk8103]

I mean her family maybe dead but she's alive and living in a 4 million dollar home today hard to feel sorry for her... Also personally I think she was in on it...as she handed it very well... too well... The sons I believe but not her...

[@aliceflanagan3672]

I have nothing but sympathy for Ruth.

[@boop79]

Same here

[@michellecapp1523]

Heartbreaking for the family and victims. How could anyone believe they knew or blame the sons when they turned their own father in? Ruth breaks my heart to this day.

[@93Jubilee]

RUth does not break my heart; it dOES seem like she should've known. My heart is with all the many less-monied victimes who suffered beucase of the Madoff Crimes.

[@0T772]

I agree 1000% correct.

[@kamman1374]

​@@93Jubileehow would she know.

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Heartbreaking???

[@hellothere4724]

They knew… the mother was the bookkeeper at the beginning… she has a degree ..she knew. The sons also knew…they knew that the clients money went in the pot at Chase and they (sons) used some of that money for their projects. It was a family affair. The father tried to shield them from prosecution best he could.

[@LMae-rj9qi]

Some people can get away with anything. That said, Madoff wasn't the first or the last to rip off people and lie their way to worldly "success." But I believe in forgiveness as hard as it can be to do.

[@taryn.b]

I didn't really appreciate the "Everyone is going to think...." questions because I hadn't thought any of them. It's COMPLETELY plausible that his wife knew nothing of his schemes. And the sons were shut out from their Dad's business so I believe Andrew.

[@christopherdaly1399]

Intense! Andrew and Ruth M. come off as credible. You can feel Andrew's searing rage against his father.

[@danger26102]

He tried to redeem himself…he was earning a lot of money and can borrow millions of dollars with no collateral

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

Agreed. They are victims, too. It's a tragedy that Mark took his life over his father's crimes.

[@christopherdaly1399]

Let's not trot out too much sympathy for this mother son duo. They were awash in money. It had to have been suspicious but when your father is head of NASDAQ you don't suspect him of criminality.

[@wduprevil]

Andrew died of cancer in 2014

[@taryn.b]

@@wduprevil Oh no! I hadn't known that

[@DCH20H9]

A year later and this is by far still my favorite video…

[@loveinspired7]

My heart truly hurt for his sons. I'm thoroughly convinced that they had no idea what their father was doing. I truly admire how they immediately sought a lawyer for themselves and completely cut their father out of their lives within hours of their father's confession. I hate that Mark felt that suicide was his only option in the end. Now, Andrew is gone as well. I also feel bad for Ruth. She's all alone now. Bernie not only destroyed multiple families around the world, he even destroyed his own family.

[@billrafajko4054]

I wasn't aware the BM's son had committed suicide. BM STOLE ALL MY MONEY but never knew the sons committed suicide. I pray that BM (bowl movement) goes directly to HELL. Does not pass go nor get's bribed by the good lord. EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL MAN!

[@hassanm.hassan4799]

Most people don't understand how overpowering greed can be. It can totally consume you.

[@leeanncornell8305]

So true. Finding that out right now. 😔

[@BrightSeaStar]

So you think that accumulating money for money's sake is the real reason ? Not the actual material things Madoff bought with it ?

[@Flair978]

Katherine should not be able to profit from the book as well. It should all be donated.

[@randibgood]

I don't feel that Mark or Andrew should have had to pay anything back or sell any possessions, I do feel that their mom should have had to forfeit everything that was acquired during the marriage. Clothes, furniture, houses, jewelry, cars, antiques, china, art, etc., basically anything that could be used to give the victims some bit of restitution. The high life this family lived, was paid for by all of the families that were swindled out of their money. Even if she didn't know, she certainly benefited from her husband's crimes. She certainly didn't deserve to keep ANY of that $10 million. Legal fees be damned. Refute all of your worldly possessions, give back the money you were trying to hide and you can have a public defender. Madoff stole from people and then used their money to pay for his legal defense when charged with the crimes he was more than guilty of. Talk about slapping your victims in the face with your entitlement.

[@luisdeleon9819]

Mark and Andrew are dead but I feel their estates should pay back. Proceeds of crime are exactly that.

[@randibgood]

@@luisdeleon9819 As memory serves, they were not at all a part of their fathers "organization". They had a wholly separate business, is that not correct? Why would they be responsible for their fathers crime? Or rather their estates? Everything, materially speaking, that came from their father, I can agree to. The jewelry passed down, etc., could go towards restitution. But not their personal wealth. That's like finding out someone was a serial killer after they died, and locking their grandchildren up-just so somebody pays for the crimes.

[@The_Red_Pill__]

They made excessive amounts of money from their fathers crime-the excess should be returned. 🤷‍♂️

[@randibgood]

@@The_Red_Pill__ How did they make money from what their father did?

[@jaknap1]

The money that the sons had belonged to all the victims so the money must be given back. I don’t care if the sons had to sleep in park bench. How do you execute 1000s of transactions a day and not suspect that they were fake? I’m not buying anything this son says. I can understand that the wife may not be aware.

[@jessenashvillejames150]

It breaks 💔 my heart how I can be so full of judgment sometimes... I truly believe them... God bless and I'm sorry for the loss of your brother and that you had to lose your father in such a way...

[@gypsyfirefly8009]

I absolutely believe Ruth & feel for her. My God what she’s been through at her age.

[@timkrouse345]

LIAR

[@eccomiatsf3676]

I have a bridge to sell you.

[@93Jubilee]

I"m sure she had a lively social life for decades!

[@johnwillard6198]

I lost my brother tragically in March 15 2008, it’s devastating. This I know.

[@Allergictocatstoo]

Please accept my condolences. May his memory be a blessing.

[@privicadeaxe5286]

Sorry. 💕

[@lpadron13]

Lost mine in 2005. Devastating, indeed. Sorry for your loss...

[@victorblock3421]

so what

[@Johnny2Feathers]

What happened?

[@Pianofishdave]

I think it’s clear they ALL felt things were a little “too good” and “oddly secretive”.

[@tubegirl25]

I don’t think his family had anything to do with it. They seem like good people. A lot of people lead double lives and deceive their family for years. Look at the serial killers…no one ever knew.

[@iamteamthinkbig]

My heart goes out to Ruth. Her sons made her choose, and they should have let her remain in contact with him. He was in prison for life and unable to do any more harm. She was with him her entire life since 18 she was as traumatized as anyone. I pray the victims are fully restored financially as well.

[@AbeFroman-zx5hs]

My heart goes out to no one in that family.

[@DTS45]

​@@AbeFroman-zx5hs Why? She lost both her kids, his victims only lost money. Bernie ran what he called a "hedge fund." Its a basic law of finance that you don't put money you need to live on into a hedge fund, they are by definition very risky investments. You MUST be an accredited investor to even be allowed to invest in a hedge fund, with a min net worth of $1M. Every single person he hurt had millions...they couldn't hire a financial advisor and diversify their multimillion portfolios?

[@clarecollins3726]

I miss Morley Safer. He was a one-of-a-kind journalist.

[@Blonde111]

Since this clip, Andrew has died from cancer. Horrendous what this man did to his family.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Horrendous what he did to investors.

[@danielan962]

if you want to be extremely wealthy, prepare to destroy people's lives, because if you won't someone else will

[@AllIsWellaus]

@@RobertLeBlancPhoto Yeah I'm pretty sure Helene would have been on agreement there. The family are victims, even more so than their father. He's locked away, they're out in the open where people can harass them. It was him that made this mess.

[@debrachaney599]

Omw how sad what a tragedy.

[@TheMacTownPoke]

It is hard for Madoff's wife to justify staying under his spell after the truth came out. Her sons may have survived if she was able to see him for who he was. Madoff is a high IQ sociopathic narcissist and probably married her in-part due to her loyalty and manipulability, which he exploited even in prison. She was totally duped and must be in anguish now. Rest in Peace to Andrew and Mark Madoff, they did not deserve this terrible fate.

[@MC-vh7go]

No remorse or even an apology for the victims. The wife was asked about it and gave a cursory answer and moved on. Even if you were unaware, you would apologize and feel remorse as these crimes came from your family. The entire piece was how it affected them.

[@93Jubilee]

Absolutely! She just couldn't related to her family having anything to do with Prison? I have dear friends from Mississippi who went to prison for their work in the Civil Rights Movement -- to improve people's well-being, hardly to diminish them, like Bernie and Ruth Madoff! So despicable!

[@elizabeth70700]

I feel most sorry for their sons who were innocent of most of this

[@deathlarsen7502]

you're a perfect sucker for the madoff scam!

[@pattimaeda6097]

Nope

[@Jc22ny]

Such a Sad Story with no true winners. People often forget that sometimes those closes to you, know the least.

[@josephbishara4791]

People like Bernie Madoff and Elizabeth Holmes have an incredible ability to lie to themselves. They really don't believe that they are doing anything wrong.

[@mariapierce2707]

Nope they don't

[@unbothered6357]

I remember when this scandal broke. Fifteen years really does fly

[@annabe9892]

I am a victim of Madoff , but I feel some sorrow for the Son. V sad

[@yohannesford]

If you don’t mind, how much did you lose all in all?

[@kathrynwitte3398]

He’s been dead since 2014.

[@rushrush6754]

He exploited greed in human

[@raquelvlogzz1183]

So sorry for for what happened to you.I also feel sorry for the sons.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

We’re you awarded damages ?

[@mlicj]

...for whatever its worth, i think the family is telling the truth...

[@shivapazoki1881]

My father is 86 and still works and runs a small business. None of knows anything about his work. He is a great, gentle generous father and husband. All of that ends the moment we ask hin any question about his business. I totally believe this could have happened to them to

[@patrickb1938]

If you read his son's suicide note it will send a chill up your spine. They clearly didn't know.

[@nygeek6471]

I just scoured the internet and could only find that he left no suicide note, so what exactly are you referring to?

[@dougiesherwin9591]

Even if there is a suicide note to read, it doesn't mean what he wrote is true. He should have been thinking about his wife and family, and that could lead him to lie. The kids knew.

[@hcclean1160]

@@nygeek6471 you clearly didn’t look hard at all. It was in the first result on google. It read “Bernie, now you know how you have destroyed the lives of your sons by your life of deceit. F-k you.“ (ny post article)

[@eccomiatsf3676]

The other son certainly had no problem living way past his means, instead of returning it all back. Ignorance is not an excuse of the law.

[@Ishbikes]

It was not suicide note. The guy who found his son wrote a letter that they read on tv. I thought the letter was disrespectful and disturbing. I still can’t believe they let him read that on tv

[@peterquinlan5469]

Ruth sounds like a heavy smoker.

[@gaiaiulia]

If the financial watchdogs saw nothing wrong with Madoff then why would his family have known anything, especially his wife. After all, look at serial killers like Gary Ridgway and Denis Raider, whose families had no idea what they did.

[@johnstephan7680]

I believe these people. Super sad story.

[@mindy6691]

My ♥️ heart really really goes out to Ruth And Andrew he passed away from mantle cell lymphoma RIP 🙏✡️Andrew Madoff 1966-2014✡️ his oldest Son Mark Madoff took his life 2 years to the day of his arrest in 2010 while his wife Stephanie Was on vacation with there 4 yr old daughter Audrey at Disney Orlando ,there 2 yr old son Nicolas was asleep in his crib with there family Dog was sleeping in the room with him too, she left an email for his wife saying please come get Nick as soon as possible. He said I love you to his wife and the email she called her father-in-law who lived in New York City. Can you please go over and check on Mark he went inside their loft in Soho, and found him hanging by a dog leash from a beam will the two year old of the dog were in another room with the door shut, unaware of anything I’m glad they didn’t have to see that truly heartbreaking. His son was so shattered. He just felt like he couldn’t recover. My heart goes out to Stephanie and her two children, Audrey and Nicholas I’m so sorry that you had to go through this and I feel sorry for Ruth because she didn’t know she was just a wife you know she’s been with him since she was well. She met him when she was 13 she got married to him when she was 18 and that’s all she knew was this man, her whole life imagine the shock that she felt the life that she had was all fake. It’s just a horrible thing all just terrible her husband’s dead her two sons have passed away and she’s by herself. I think she’s living with her older son’s former wife in Connecticut. I just feel sad for her . Can you imagine? 🙏✡️✡️💟♥️

[@ingridlahaye8107]

He fooled the whole world and it makes sense he fooled his family too....

[@kungfumind.]

Ruth is doing very well for herself, she's now living in a $4.4 million beachfront property in Old Greenwich, Connecticut with her daughter in law. While she inherited 2M.

[@artparty222murphy9]

And both her sons are dead? Really ? Doing well?

[@msjay025]

@@artparty222murphy9 Well she’s not dead

[@elizabethbarrios6336]

@@artparty222murphy9 isn't only one dead??

[@laurahoward5426]

Inherited? Allowed to keep by US MARSHALL'S SERVICE

[@mc.8391]

I guess it de[ends what you call "doing very well for herself"...... as a mother I dont think she has done very well at all plus from what I can gather she is shunned by many folk and is now a widow. Some may think that having a load of cash is a worthy replacement, but not me and not lots of other folks I suspect. None of this reflects my opinion of her husband.

[@Aeon1019]

Unfortunately MANY parents use their children as *SHIELDS* in the name of Wealth and Family prosperity Bernie Madoff was the perfect N'ARC

[@kimkeck6266]

I was looking for this comment!! 100% absolutely a malignant narcissist!!😔

[@BazzerObama]

Don’t shed too many tears for Ruth Madoff, she lives a far more comfortable life than many law abiding, hard working Americans……..sadly crime does pay !!

[@mellboy2805]

She knew something when she answers some of the questions it shows with her facial expressions

[@rachaelnead4629]

This is the thing.. we don't see what we don't want to see. The family lived lavishly and I am sure he convinced them to trust him and why would they not. The world was celebrating him and I am sure if they asked questions he said he was taking care of it. They lived well and I am sure they loved their life.. Plenty of families don't know what is really going on with a family member.... and they aren't even rich. Money is a hard thing to look away from

[@isaacdixon3732]

I think his wife stated to the court that she wanted to hold on to the penthouse they had in NYC. REALLY!!!

[@sofiecarr249]

She felt so much shame but not enough to return those 10,000,000 stolen dollars

[@ichoosetoloveagainandagain8760]

May God be with her now. May she have a new life..

[@LIONTAMER3D]

his family believed what millions of other investors did: he was a trading genius of legendary proportions.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

LOL. His sons ran the trading desk where he supposedly did his trades. Which desk, by the way, firms like Goldman Sachs refused to trade with because they were such obvious bandits. Madoff did no trades -- his sons had to know that he was lying.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

LOL. He was clearly a schlemiel, a sort of nice guy with no special talents.

[@natalieaustin8707]

Sadly, I remember when this happened and the media treated the family absolutely awful! I felt so bad when the son committed suicide. They were fooled like everyone else.

[@dougiesherwin9591]

@@natalieaustin8707 If you had worked on wall street, you would understand that the sons knew about the fraud, and benefitted greatly from the money their old man stole. You were fooled by the pretense they set up to pretend only Bernie knew. While it's possible, but highly improbable that Ruth had no clue -- remember she was an accountant and her father knew that Bernie was not capable of astute thinking -- the sons had to know. Bernie said he didn't charge commissions because he only traded on his own trading desk. That desk was run by his sons. HE DID NO TRADES!!! The sons who ran the desk had to know he did no trades.

[@robertcunningham5043]

You my friend, don't realize what a partner can keep secret. HAVE YOU EVER EVER BEEN MARRIED??? People keep lots of secrets in life in marriage and I actually believe Ruth and hope she has some how good life now.

[@patienceumajie3983]

So sorry for the loss of your brother. So sad for your family tragedy.

[@kathrynwitte3398]

He’s been dead for 8 years.

[@laurahoward5426]

Both sons dead

[@5504berry]

He was a trader in his Fathers firm....enough said. The sons were traders and had to have seen the returns and questioned it.

[@serenawilliams6138]

He didn’t work with his sons and he kept them at length deliberately to protect them. It’s the one humane thing he thought about. Bernie Madoff worked with a small coterie of cohorts and he was so compartmentalized (like many men like him are) that it’s far more likely that he kept his family separate from his unethical and horrible business practices. .

[@5504berry]

@@serenawilliams6138 My point was, their knowledge of the trading process would have signaled something was off. Even if they didn't work in the office of their father, they still would have been aware of his reported success. Gage that against what activity they observed and a flag would have been raised. A fund the size of Bernie's would have taken a lot of resources human and otherwise.

[@serenawilliams6138]

@@5504berry I’m not sure you’re right. I think when people are used to things being a certain way for a very long time, and assume that everything is on the up and up, they aren’t necessarily prone to question anything.

[@beyourself2444]

@@serenawilliams6138 Ok, right? That makes sense… NOT

[@Toltecgrl]

I really feel his sons and wife were as much a victim as everybody else. It’s sad to think both sons are gone now and Madoff left his wife all alone. She doesn’t even have either son left. Smh

[@RubyBandUSA]

They fooled you. In fact you yourself with your comments here are part of their PR campaign to make them seem innocent. Shame on you.

[@yvonnemurray5537]

Wow…what an interview. Just tragic for the monsters wife and children. I can see how he kept his secret from his family. It happens all the time in other families. It’s a dual life. I hope all of Bernie’s clients find a way to recover and I promise…the first step to that is forgiveness. Super hard to do, but the hatred will eat you alive and then Bernie has scored again. Don’t let him do that!

[@keplermission4947]

If you are the Victims where is your Hatred? We ain't got no hatred, we don't need no hatred, I don't have to show you any stinkin' hatred.

[@kcdavids3033]

She is the only one left. He essentially killed one son and cancer took the other.

[@sunwm2003]

Its not a dual life, come on. They lived a life style Madoff provided. They were all in this together until 2008, when every one was pulling out. Madoff was in the news of being accused of Ponzi scheme way before the 2008 collapse.

[@skfanfanfan]

I sympathized the wife and the sons (now both passed away) and their accounts of things seemed absolutely genuine and I totally understand why they never suspected. Have to understand that he is involved in a cut-throat business where firms and individuals often "hide or kept secret" proprietary information/analyses to gain an edge over competitions. What struck me the most is he used his sons as "human shields", as described by the younger son in the interview, to cover up the Ponzi Scheme. Before everything blew up, his sons must have the utmost respect, trust and admiration for a father like him who had attained such a high status in Wall Street. EVIL is the only word I can think of to describe this man.

[@dexterthompson1809]

good ridden.

[@baileybutterfly320]

Who cares!