Charles Chuck Feeney, the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers, is now broke after giving away all of his wealth, but he says he couldn’t be happier.
The former billionaire earned billions with the creation of the airport retail company with Robert Miller on November 7, 1960.
Duty Free Shoppers started in Hong Kong but quickly spread to Europe and other airports around the globe.
The philanthropist gave all of his wealth to charitable causes. In September this year, he donated over $8 billion to foundations, universities and charities through his organization.
According to Forbes, Feeney donated $3.7 billion to education and over $870 million to social change and human rights.
The kindhearted entrepreneur also gave over $700million to health causes, and one of his gifts was a $350million donation for Cornell to create a technology campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City.
Through his organization Atlantic Philanthropies, Feeney has donated money to modernized Vietnam’s health care system, expand education, and bring peace to Northern Island.
In an interview with Forbes, Feeney said: “We learned a lot. We would do some things differently, but I am very satisfied. I feel very good about completing this on my watch.
“My thank to all who joined us on this journey. And to those wondering bout Giving While Living: try it, you’ll like it.”
Today, Feeney and his wife Helga Feeney live in a modest apartment in San Francisco with a plaque that reads: “Congratulations to Chuck Feeney for $billion of philanthropic giving.”
He also said last year: “I see little reason to delay giving when so much good can be achieved through supporting worthwhile causes. Besides, it’s a lot more fun to give while you live than give while you’re dead.”
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Replaced!