Chris Gardner Founder of Gardner Rich Date of Birth: 09.02.1954 Country: USA

Christopher Paul Gardner - Founder of Gardner Rich & Co

Christopher Paul Gardner is a millionaire, motivator, and philanthropist, best known for his project in the early 1980s to combat housing shortages. Alongside his charitable work, Christopher also focused on raising his son, which later became the inspiration for the film "The Pursuit of Happyness."

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Christopher had a challenging childhood with a father living in Louisiana and a stepfather who regularly abused his mother and siblings. His mother was eventually imprisoned for attempting to kill her new husband. During this difficult time, Christopher found solace in his maternal uncles, especially his uncle Henry, who became a father figure to him. Unfortunately, Uncle Henry passed away when Christopher was only nine, and it was at his funeral that Christopher learned about his mother's arrest.

Despite his tumultuous personal life and absent father figure, Christopher's mother remained a source of inner strength and inspiration for him. Thanks to her influence, Christopher learned to believe in himself and rely on his own abilities. His challenging childhood did not embitter him; instead, as he became wealthy, he dedicated himself to ensuring that other children did not have to endure similar hardships.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Christopher became acquainted with the works of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Eldridge Cleaver, who awakened his pride in his race. He also developed a passion for national music, particularly Buddy Miles, James Brown, and Miles Davis. Inspired by his uncle's stories of his navy adventures, Christopher decided to follow in his footsteps and joined the military. It was there that he met surgeon Robert Ellis, who offered him a position as his assistant. Within two years, Christopher gained surgical skills and became a full-fledged assistant by 1976.

On June 18, 1976, Christopher married Sherry Dyson, and at that time, he believed his future lay in medicine. However, he soon realized that the field was rapidly changing, and he would struggle to find a place in it. Returning to San Francisco with his young son, Christopher met a wealthy-looking businessman driving a stylish red Ferrari. This businessman turned out to be a stockbroker named Bob Bridges, who became Christopher's mentor and leader. Under Bridges' guidance, Christopher's business ventures began to flourish, and he eventually acquired his own red Ferrari, which had previously belonged to Michael Jordan.

Christopher divorced his wife in 1986, and five years earlier, he had started a relationship with a student named Jackie Medina, who later gave birth to their son. Unfortunately, Medina accused Christopher of domestic violence and fled to the East Coast with their child, taking all of Christopher's possessions. Homeless and penniless, Christopher managed to enroll in a broker training program but struggled to support himself. However, his perseverance paid off, and his financial situation gradually improved.

Medina eventually returned, only to give Christopher custody of their son. This significantly impacted his finances, but he continued working hard. At one point, Christopher even found himself living on the streets, but his colleagues remained unaware of his financial struggles. In 1987, Christopher founded his own firm, Gardner Rich & Co. Over time, he proved himself as successful in stock trading as he had been in medicine. The small company, initially worth a modest $10,000, was eventually sold for millions in 2006. By then, Christopher had become a successful and well-respected businessman, conducting negotiations with Nelson Mandela himself in South Africa. He invested millions into creating new job opportunities in developing countries.

Christopher's primary focus in his philanthropic work was addressing housing shortages. He started in San Francisco, sponsoring the construction of affordable housing for the less fortunate and initiating employment programs. He also organized fundraisers to collect money, clothing, and shoes. Christopher's own experiences drove him to help others even more energetically.

Additionally, Christopher dedicated much of his time to helping children, serving on the National Fatherhood Initiative. In recognition of his achievements in philanthropy, he was honored with the "Father of the Year" award in 2002, which was just one of many accolades he received.

Stock trading continues to provide Christopher with a significant income, and he continues to actively support the homeless and underprivileged in America.