The Tragic Fate of Walt's Money: What Happened When Hank and the Nazis Both Found Out

In a tale that spans the backdrop of war and greed, Walt's well-guarded fortune took a dramatic turn when both Hank and the Nazis discovered it. Buried in eight barrels, Walt's treasure of about 80 million was a hoped-for asset that ultimately led to tragedy.

The Burial of Walt's Treasure

Walt had meticulously hidden his wealth in eight barrels, a strategy designed to protect it from prying eyes. His hope was that his money would be safe until he could retrieve it and eventually pass it on to his son, Walt Jr. The barrels were hidden in a remote area, a location purportedly known only to himself and a select few. However, fate intervened when the Nazis, upon arriving in the region, found both Walt and the location of his burials.

The Grudging Allocation by Nazis

As the invading force, the Nazis did not take kindly to the idea of Walt keeping all of his hoard. They offered him a stark choice: keep one barrel or face dire consequences. Sensibly, Walt took the path of least resistance and secured one barrel, containing approximately 10 million in cash. With some of this money, Walt chose to invest in Ed, a friend who maintained certain obligations to Walt.

Following the receipt of some of the money from the Nazis, Walt embarked on a journey back to New Mexico. There, under the veiled threat of his life, he shared the news with his family members, Elliot and Gretchen. With them, he emphasized the urgent necessity of setting up a trust fund for his son Walt Jr. Fearing for his life, Walt insisted that the fund be managed in a way that ensured Walt Jr. would have access to the resources without squandering them on trivialities such as breakfast cereal.

The Greedy Nazis and Their Wasted Wealth

While the Nazis respected Walt's pragmatic approach and returned one of the barrels, they were not so considerate with the remainder. The remaining 70 million was seized and burnt through various indulgences. Hitler and his cronies spent a substantial portion of it on wrecks such as booze and expensive prostitutes. The rest of the wealth was squandered away on wasteful expenditures and lavish displays of power, contributing to the rapid depletion of the funds within a short period.

Consequences and Legacy

The outcome of Walt's hidden fortune paints a grim picture. While he managed to secure a small portion from the Nazis, and had the foresight to ensure some would go to his son for future use, the rest was lost to wanton spending and mismanagement. This story serves to highlight the vulnerability of individual wealth during times of conflict and the importance of contingency planning in situations beyond one's immediate control.

The tale of Walt's money also emphasizes the tragic consequences of greed in wartime. It is a chilling reminder of the allure of such vast wealth and the devastating effects of those who seek to control it. Ultimately, it is a cautionary narrative about the fate of hoarded resources in times of crisis, where the interests of the few often conflict with the intended welfare of the many.