Peter Rosengard, a figure known for establishing London's Comedy Store and managing the 1980s pop group Curiosity Killed the Cat, holds a significant place in financial history for selling the world's first $100 million life insurance policy.
Rosengard's journey into high-stakes sales began with a cold call from a telephone box near London's Oxford Circus to Sid Sheinberg, president of Universal. This led to the sale of the landmark policy on the life of David Geffen, the US record company executive who had recently sold Geffen Records to MCA Universal for $550 million in 1990. Rosengard credits a combination of persistence and audacity for sealing the deal, which proved beneficial for both Universal and himself.
The years following this record-breaking sale were financially prosperous for Rosengard, who views life insurance as a consistently viable product as long as people have loved ones to protect. His career as a life insurance salesman has been marked by success, driven by the fundamental need for individuals to secure the financial future of their families.
Beyond his insurance achievements, Rosengard has had a diverse career. He founded London's Comedy Store in 1979, which served as a launching pad for comedians such as Rik Mayall, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, and Alexei Sayle. Despite the fun of managing the club in its early days, Rosengard noted that it did not generate substantial income. He also invested in and managed the pop group Curiosity Killed the Cat in 1984, helping them achieve chart success with hits like "Down to Earth" and a platinum-selling debut album.
Rosengard, now 79, has overcome personal financial challenges, including a struggle with gambling addiction in his early twenties, a habit inherited from his father. He successfully managed this addiction with the help of Gamblers Anonymous. He also experienced financial difficulties when his Rolls-Royce was repossessed during his time as a life insurance salesman. Rosengard has since secured his financial future through a self-invested personal pension (Sipp) and owns property in London's Maida Vale.
He advocates for inspiring young people to pursue careers in sales and entrepreneurship, believing it to be a key driver for long-term economic growth. Rosengard's insights and experiences are detailed in his recently published book, "They Only Call Me When They're Dead!"