Former Zurich Insurance chief executive Martin Senn took his own life last week, the company said today.
Mr Senn is the second top executive at the group to take his own life in less than three years.
Switzerland's biggest insurer said that it was "stunned and deeply shaken" by Mr Senn's sudden death.
"With Martin, we lose not only a commendable former CEO and valued former colleague, but also a good-hearted friend. Our thoughts are with his family, to whom we express our deepest condolences," it said in a statement.
Senn quit on December 1 following a failed takeover bid for Britain's RSA.
He is the second top Zurich executive and third leader of a Swiss company to take his own life in three years.
In August 2013, 53-year-old Zurich finance chief Pierre Wauthier took his own life after writing a suicide note addressed "To whom it may concern".
In this letter he had described himself as becoming demoralised by what he called a new, more aggressive tone at Zurich.
