I've given the lot to charity, says US millionaire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IN A society where many people spend their lives in pursuit of wealth, Percy Ross was different. He has spent decades giving the stuff away.
But the self-made US millionaire has ended his cause. Mr Ross says that the money has now gone. "I've achieved my goal. I've given it all away," said the 83-year old. But he doesn't regret a moment of it. "In many respects, I'm far richer today than when I started," he told readers of his syndicated newspaper column, "Thanks a Million".
Mr Ross, who lives in Minnesota, made one fortune from fur and then lost it, but made a second with a company that made plastic film and rubbish bags. Then one day, he gave away a thousand bicycles to children and found that he liked giving as much as he did accumulating.
Ten thousand letters a week flooded in to his column from readers in need of cash, and Mr Ross gave away $20-30m. Hospitals, people seeking dental care, recreation centres and those who were simply poor benefited from his largess.
He gave $50,000 to bring Vietnam refugees to the US, and even offered the former Iranian theocrat Ayatollah Khomeini $50m to return American hostages in the 1980 US embassy crisis.
"This has been a lesson in human emotion and I walk away a more educated person for having dealt with thousands and thousands of letters," he said. "I'll continue to seek financial opportunities in our capitalistic society. In other words, I need to get a job. And, if by chance I can make another pile of money, I'Il be back giving it away."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments