Billionaire gives away his fortune

Billionaire gives away his money - 12th October 2020

Chuck Feeney is an Irish American billionaire. He used to have $8 billion. Now, he has given away all his money.

For the past 38 years, Feeney has given money to charities and universities. He wanted to help Ireland because he has Irish family. So, he provided lots of money to projects there. His money helped to build the University of Limerick in Ireland.

Feeney made his money from the shopping business DFS. DFS has over 420 shops at 11 international airports. Feeney and his friend, Robert Miller, started DFS in 1960. But in 1982, Feeney put all his money into an organisation called "The Atlantic Philanthropies". Then, this organisation sent his money to charities and universities around the world.

Feeney was careful with his money. He hardly spent any. He never bought a car or house and he only had one pair of shoes. This is completely different to most billionaires. His business partner, Robert Miller, owns lots of expensive big houses all over the world.

Some billionaires plan to share their money with people when they die. But Feeney thinks they should start now. His message to these billionaires is: "Try it, you'll like it."