Who is the “Gypsy Baron” and what does he do (8 photos)

There are too many legends about this - and one Austrian composer is “guilty” of them.





"Baron" gypsies call their elder or head camp. In reality, no official “title” exists. He appeared thanks to the operetta of Johann Strauss "The Gypsy Baron" and since 1885 year “went to the people” - this is how influential gypsies began to be called.



They have nothing to do with the aristocracy, they have never had land in possession, and their wives are not called baronesses. Therefore, there is no official status, something else is interesting - what exactly do these elders?



In a nutshell, these are “deciders”. Leaders who are listened to and whose orders are obeyed. They settle disputes and conflicts like inside a camp, as well as neighboring families. There are persistent rumors that all downstream should regularly pay tribute to them, but there is no evidence of this. Gypsies - this is an extremely closed caste and no outsider they are in their affairs trying not to let go.



Although there is still one famous “baron” and the king of all gypsies - Florin Choaba.



Florin Choaba

He was born in 1954 in Romania, the son of an influential gypsy baron. An interesting detail: the future “king” finished Bible Seminary and for some time preached in the church.

He married early, Florin was not even 14 years old. Gypsies this is not uncommon. And after the death of his father in 1997, Choaba took the reins rule into his own hands and proclaimed himself "King of the Gypsies". And soon he became the richest man in Romania with an annual income of 80 million Euro. And his clan earned up to 300 million euros a year.



Choaba at his 12-year-old daughter's wedding

Florin was elected chairman of the International Roma Union, he was friends with Romanian President Traian Basescu. Was a media personality willingly handed out interviews and liked to talk about his achievements.



And after the death of Florin in 2013, the place of the “King of the Gypsies” occupied by his son - Dorin Choaba. Maybe not with such charisma as his father, but with the same iron grip.



The new "king of all gypsies" Doreen Choaba