Philanthropist and renowned American Billionaire Charles Francis “Chuck” Feeney passed away on Oct. 9, but his legacy of giving remains after a life spent donating his entire fortune anonymously.
Feeney died at 92 in California.
According to The Atlantic Philanthropies, Feeney’s charitable organization hub, he donated $8 billion in grants around the world. Much of this was done anonymously.
Feeney is quoted in his biography as stating, “I had one idea that never changed in my mind—that you should use your wealth to help people.”
“Try it, you’ll like it,” he added, noting, “It’s much more fun to give while you are alive than to give when you are dead.”
Feeney was an entrepreneur from his early days. He started out shoveling sidewalks in the snow and selling Christmas cards door to door.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and then took advantage of a G.I. Bill scholarship to earn a hotel management degree from Cornell University.
To make extra money, he sold sandwiches on campus and went on to co-found a duty-free business selling luxury goods to tourists.
He loved to travel and come up with new business ideas but was also known for flying coach and wearing cheap watches despite acquiring wealth.
Then, in the 1980s, as he entered his 50s, he focused more on giving back.
Feeney created the Atlantic Foundation in 1982 and was the founding chairman of The Atlantic Philanthropies.
He was Cornell University’s largest donor and dedicated to advancing knowledge and opportunities for others.
Feeney was constantly heard stating, “Use your wealth to help people. Use your wealth to create institutions to help people.”
He is now remembered as a man who lived by his philosophy of reaching out to others, because as he often stated, “When it comes down to it, it’s always people.”
