THE BILLIONAIRE WHO WASN'T
[How Chuck Feeney Secretly
Made and Gave Away a Fortune]
This book is about a man that made billions of dollars, just to it away. He donated apprx 4 billion (All of his wealth) to charity. This guy now buys his suits off the rack, uses a plastic bag for a briefcase, sports drugstore spectacles, wears a $15 plastic watch, and flies coach. He owns no house and no car. He wonders aloud about the need for more than one pair of shoes. When he's in New York, he likes to dine on chicken pot pies at grubby midtown dives.
He is my amongst a few of my idols, what are your views on him?
2007-09-26 06:12:18 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
Someone said they've never heard of him, goes to show how acknowledged he was for his acts.
the publicity-phobic Feeney told BusinessWeek in a rare interview in 2003. "The seats are the same in a cab. And you may live longer if you walk." As New York Times columnist Jim Dwyer once said, this is a man whose life is like Donald Trump's, only backwards.
[Quote]
"I had one idea that never changed in my mind — that you should use your wealth to help people. I try to live a normal life, the way I grew up," Feeney said. "I set out to work hard, not to get rich."
2007-09-26 06:23:51 · update #1
It sounds like he knows who he is and has his priorities set straight. He does what he believes without being concerned of what other people think of him or his ways. He's a self made man with a Robin Hood take on life. Not so extreme of course, but same philosophy I'm sure. He's a simple and happy man, I admire that. I don't envy that because I'm sure he's not the type of person who would want to be envied, but I admire his nobility, uniqueness, rationality, priorities, kindness, and spirit. In my eyes, the man has class. Although, $15 for a plastic watch is to much! haha, you can get a plastic sports watch at Target for $9.99! Just saying is all :) Well, my opinion on this probably isn't half as good as others on here, but I tried. Sounds like an interesting person to read about, I may pick the book up sometime. You have a great day alright?
2007-09-26 06:31:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer™ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think people can feel free to have the opinion that they want. They should be able to express there opinion, and those who listen (which should be lots of people) should have an open mind, and maybe change there opinion. Some opinions may not turn into anything, but it doesnt mean there worthless. Even if nobody treasures your opinion, you should. Its what makes you who you are.
2016-05-19 01:03:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he's great. He obviously doesn't buy into needing material things to feel whole. He lives the way he wants without regard to what society will think of him -- a rarity in today's world.
I'm not saying he's right and that people who do contribute success to material wealth are wrong. He's doing a very admirable thing by living as he wants despite judgment. He should be commended for his effort.
2007-09-26 06:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by Brntte3078 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that there is a difference between being down-to-earth and just not enjoying life. I can understand the drugstore spectacles and flying coach, but using a plastic bag for a briefcase and wearing the plastic watch is just too much.
It was a wonderful thing to donate so much to charity when celebrities are squandering their millions on elaborate weddings and fur coats, but this man can be a little more open to dressing and acting at least "middle-class."
2007-09-26 06:18:52 · answer #4 · answered by qchiapetp 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It'd be nice to be able to live without much money or expensive toys, but I do like them, so I'd have kept some of the money - but would have reinvested it to make even more for charity. I think it's great that he saw the greater need and tried to help. There were others who needed the money more than he did, and most people would not have cared.
2007-09-26 06:17:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think highly of him. My father died when I was six and my sister one, then the bank failed. We liv ed on $400 per year. My mother refused charity. She taught to study, work, save, and invest. Thus I was not tempted into indolence living off politicians handouts. Instead I always voted for those who did not punish people like me with taxes. My first full time job after the War and day schooling earned $3000 per year. I saved and invested half of that. I still fight waste despite very good financial strength.
2007-09-26 09:47:37 · answer #6 · answered by Edward Hyde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish there was many more people like this man in the world and it would be a better place to raise or children! can you email me the name of this book ? I would love to read it.
2007-09-26 07:03:24 · answer #7 · answered by Dew 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I admire the few things you've said of him.
Sounds like America's Gandhi.
2007-09-26 06:15:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I would have kept some to at least live comfortably, but whatever makes him happy.
2007-09-26 06:23:38 · answer #9 · answered by Lou 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he has lived on both sides of the fence and has chosen the one without tons of money. I guess he knows something that we don't!
2007-09-26 06:16:29 · answer #10 · answered by lee 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋