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Most of us probably never heard of Feeney’s philanthropic deeds - partly because he wanted to keep his anonymity. He gave away hundreds of millions of dollars to several charities, universities and other institutions but unlike other philanthropists, he didn’t want anything named after him.
He started giving away in 1982 when he put up Atlantic Philanthropies.
As of 2005, he had given away USD3.547 Billion!
But it was only in 1997 when he decided to end his anonymity due to a dispute with his DFS partner over the sale of their company (to Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) which would most likely lead to a lawsuit that would reveal his donations anyway.
He transferred his fortune to the foundation which should be put into good use while he is still alive. He was personally left with USD5Million, just enough for him to continue with his travels and pick up restaurant tabs without worrying. His philosophy is to use his wealth to help people and try to live a normal life, the way he grew up. No wonder, even though he was once one of Forbes Magazine’s wealthiest, he continued to fly economy and wear a 15-dollar watch! And while his former DFS partner lives in luxury homes, Feeney stays in apartments and takes the bus and taxi. His children note that he is a generally happy man who would probably have been less happy if he had tried to hold on to his money.
As the book mentions, “Chuck Feeney never seemed to feel entitled to the things that went with being rich. By dispossessing himself of the trappings of wealth, he removed a temptation to think that wealth made him better than anyone else.”
Admirable soul.:)
