“Rodrigo Rato dead 2024” : Former Managing Director of the IMF killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Madrid
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Rodrigo Rato is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax
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News of politician Rodrigo Rato’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the former Managing Director of the IMF is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Rodrigo Rato death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the politician’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Rodrigo Rato’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Spanish politician’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (December 20, 2024), our beloved politician Rodrigo Rato passed away. Rodrigo Rato was born on June 18, 1949 in Madrid. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 75-year-old politician and business man was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Spanish network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a politician of Rodrigo Rato's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (77%) of respondents think those Rodrigo Rato death rumors are not funny anymore.

Rodrigo Rato Death Hoax Dismissed Since Politician Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (December 21) the politician's reps officially confirmed that Rodrigo Rato is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved politician. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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