Chuck Feeney
Chuck Feeney
Charles Francis "Chuck" Feeney is an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist and the founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies, one of the largest private foundations in the world. He made his fortune as a co-founder, with Robert Warren Miller, of the Duty Free Shoppers Group. The concept of "duty-free shopping"—offering high-end concessions to travelers, free of import taxes—was in its infancy when, along with Miller, Feeney founded DFS on November 7, 1960. DFS began operations in Hong Kong, later expanding to Europe...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth23 April 1931
CountryUnited States of America
I had one idea that never changed in my mind—that you should use your wealth to help people.
I suppose in the back of my mind I was always one of those guys who had a disdain for money. It had a value if you wanted to buy something, but if you didn't want to buy something, you didn't need it.
I had one idea that never changed in my mind - that you should use your wealth to help people.
When you've got the money, you spend it. When you've spent it all, let someone else get going and spend theirs.
I set out to work hard, not to get rich.
On why he has donated $600 million to selected charities. I simply decided I had enough money.
There is nothing wrong with a big bet, if a big bet is a good bet.
They decided as part of my 75th birthday celebrations that I would be entitled to fly first class. I'll be honest, I'm not good at flying anymore. To my credit, I can stretch out on two coach seats.
People used to ask me how I got my jollies, and I guess I'm happy when what I'm doing is helping people and unhappy when what I'm doing isn't helping people.
I believe that people of substantial wealth potentially create problems for future generations unless they themselves accept responsibility to use their wealth during their lifetime to help worthwhile causes.
I became convinced that there was greater satisfaction from giving my money away and seeing something come out of the ground, like a hospital or a university.
When you are 81 years old, you don't really need a lot of the trappings of wealth.
People who have money have an obligation. I wouldn't say I'm entitled to tell them what to do with it but to use it wisely.
Most large companies structure their affairs so that they minimize their tax payments. As long as you do it within the law, it's OK.