Rau, born into a family of industrialists, had one of the most amazing midlife crises on record. After successfully running the family business as a young man, Rau - then in his mid-40s - dropped out, went to medical school, studied pediatrics and tropical medicine, cashed out the business and headed for Africa. There, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, he began providing food and medical care to as many as 8,000 children a day through a hospital and private foundation. Rau also got interested in art. In the 1960s he began buying masterpieces of European painting and sculpture that ranged from Gothic and Romanesque to contemporary. But he focused on 19th century works. He had wanted to create a museum for his collection in France, but his plans fell through. Rau finally donated the entire lot to UNICEF, with the stipulation that the works be shown internationally for five years. The art can be sold in 25 years to fund the organization's work. The doctor died in 2002.
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