ocr: In the late 1980s,it became tashionable in Spain to compete openly, make money and consume. The country's rapid economic growth at the time greatly enriched the professional and managerial classes. - - The latter became the best-paid,in real terms, in Europe. Some became media celebrities, such as the banker Mario Conde ofBanesto,and - began to rival soccer players in popularity. In spite ofhigh taxes, the rich became richer and more ostentatious. Spain quickly developedinto an important market for luxury cars and yachts; a personal bodyguard also became a status symbol. The recession ofthe ea ...
