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Chuck FeeneyBusinessman and philanthropist
Date of Birth: 23.04.1931
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Chuck Feeney: The Philanthropist Businessman
- The Birth of 'The Atlantic Philanthropies'
- A Life of Charitable Giving
- A Remarkable Man
- A Legacy of Higher Education
- A Message of Early Philanthropy
Chuck Feeney: The Philanthropist Businessman
Early Life and Business VenturesChuck Feeney, born Charles Francis Feeney, in 1931 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was an American businessman and philanthropist. Coming from a modest Irish family during the Great Depression, Feeney's entrepreneurial journey began after serving in the Korean War. He used his military compensation to start his own business. Feeney studied hotel administration at Cornell University and later became a co-founder of the global duty-free retail chain, Duty Free Shoppers Group.
The Birth of 'The Atlantic Philanthropies'
While achieving immense success with Duty Free Shoppers, Feeney had a distinctive approach to his wealth. He dedicated his profits entirely to philanthropy and lived for charitable causes. In 1988, Forbes ranked him as the 31st richest person in the world, despite the fact that he no longer owned his fortune. Feeney anonymously donated his wealth to various institutions and organizations, often without the recipients knowing their benefactor's identity. This secretive approach allowed Feeney to continue being recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals for many years, even though he no longer possessed substantial wealth.
A Life of Charitable Giving
Feeney's commitment to philanthropy led him to establish 'The Atlantic Philanthropies', a foundation through which he made all his donations. To date, the foundation has contributed over $6.2 billion to various causes. His selfless acts gained public attention when the founders of Duty Free Shoppers sold their shares in the company.
A Remarkable Man
Nicknamed the "Billionaire Who Wasn't," Chuck Feeney preferred to live a private life and avoided media attention. He cherished his personal life and believed that one needs very little. Despite his remarkable success as a savvy entrepreneur, Feeney's primary interest in profit revolved around its potential impact on philanthropy. He did not seek recognition or gratitude for his generosity; instead, he focused on getting things done.
A Legacy of Higher Education
It is known that each university in Ireland has awarded Chuck Feeney an honorary doctorate. His substantial financial contributions to the education system made him a modern-day Saint Patrick in their eyes. Feeney has five children and has divorced his first wife. While his family lives comfortably as millionaires, Feeney himself adheres to a principle of necessary sufficiency.
A Message of Early Philanthropy
Throughout his life, Chuck Feeney emphasized the importance of early philanthropy. He believed that one should not wait until old age to start donating money. Instead, he encouraged individuals to begin making a difference as early as possible, while still having the energy and strength to change the world for the better.
