Charles Feeney: the man who gave $ 8 billion to charity

Фото: Depositphotos

In 2011, billionaire Charles Feeney decided that by the end of 2016, he would get rid of all his wealth.

It was not easy, at that time he was 81 year, and his fortune amounted to about $ 1,5 billion, reports The New York Times.

But he pulled it off—in December 2016, he donated his last $7 million to Cornell University to support students doing community service.

He officially distributed all his money, following his principle of “giving while you live.” In total, he devoted $ 8 billion to philanthropic goals, which went to support higher education, public health, human rights and research.

“People are always nervous about giving away so much. But I think we did a good job,” Feeney said.

The total value of his remaining fortune is about $ 2 million. This is quite a lot, but it is very modest compared to the amount he gave to charity. Now Lini and his wife Helga live in a rented home in San Francisco, California.

Until 75, Fini traveled only in economy class and preferred to dine in low-cost establishments. He started giving out money to charity in 1982.

None of the American philanthropists donated more to charity than Fini. In addition, by giving money, he asked the beneficiaries not to advertise his name and not to make long thank-you speeches in his honor.

At the start of 1990, Feeney secretly met with the paramilitary forces in Belfast, Northern Ireland, urging them to abandon the armed conflict and promising financial support for this if they agree to solve the conflict through elections. He provided grants for the provision of a public health system in Vietnam, as well as for the fight against AIDS in southern Africa.

Charles Feeney was born in New Jersey, his father worked as an insurance agent, and his mother - a nurse. In 1930, the family knew firsthand what it was like to barely make ends meet. To earn a few dollars, Charles as a child cleared snow, mowed lawns, collected balls on golf courses.

In 17 for years, he began serving in the US Air Force, meeting the Korean War at his post, and then due to a small scholarship that relied on soldiers who decided to get an education or start a business, he entered Cornell School for the training of personnel for hotels.

A hundred dollars a month was not enough, and enterprising Feeney began selling lunches, earning, in addition to his living expenses, a nickname from fellow students - “a man-sandwich”.

Then he continued his studies in France, where he decided to combine the comprehension of the basics of political science with the sale of duty-free alcohol to American sailors. Although the business was highly competitive, army experience helped Fini and his companion Bob Miller to negotiate with the crews of the ships.

Partners have expanded their range of jewelry, perfumes and cars, simultaneously expanding the range of customers at the expense of tourists.

After Miller and Feeney were joined by tax consultant Tony Pilaro and accountant Allan Parker, the business reached a new level: more than 1964 employees worked in 200 countries for 27 year.

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