How Chuck Feeney Made and Gave Away a Fortune

The Billionaire Who Wasn't

By: Conor O'Clery

Narrated by: Erik Synnestvedt

In 1988 Forbes magazine hailed Chuck Feeney as the 23rd richest American alive. No one knew until then that he was extremely wealthy. Or was he?

Born during the Depression in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Feeney had made a fortune as co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain. How he did it is one of the great untold retail stories of modern times.

The greater untold story is that Feeney had in fact given away his fortune, in its totality, to endow Atlantic Philanthropies - one of the most generous and secretive philanthropic funds in the world. Atlantic Philanthropies is committed to giving away all its assets - currently they stand at $4 billion - during the next decade, an unprecedented example of the "giving while living" philosophy. Through the achievements of Atlantic Philanthropies, Chuck Feeney's influence has become even more impressive than his wealth.

Feeney is a frugal man who travels economy class and does not own a house or a car. He has largely kept out of the public eye - until now. He has revealed his secret life only because he hopes his story will encourage something in which he passionately believes: that rich individuals have a moral obligation to put their wealth to good use while they are alive.

©2013 Conor O'Clery (P)2013 Gildan Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"A smart business book detailing some vicissitudes of retailing, wrapped in a vivid biography of an engaging tycoon." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Interesting life of a Billionaire philanthropist

Very interesting how Charles Feeney spent his life working then giving away all his money. I have to say, there did seem to be some bias in the book and there wasn’t a negative thing to say about the man in the biography. This felt odd and seems that it was done on purpose. No one is perfect but from the way the book tells the story, Mr Feeney never had a miss step. Even his final days fighting with the board of the charitable trust he set up, he comes out as the good guy and the board members who wanted to oppose him are the villains. I suspect it wasn’t exactly that way in reality and feels like a lot was left out.
Overall it was very insightful into what we should strive for in life and when a person accumulates wealth. He was a very frugal person and used his wealth to help a lot of people. His leanings towards one political party were odd in that he was against taxes but believes communism was a valid way to help people. Maybe the author got it wrong but Feeney’s thoughts seem conflicted on those points. I suspect he was less communist in beliefs than what was portrayed.

Thank you Atlantic Philanthropists/Chuck Feeney

I feel this book has shed some important light on how we should all live.

Amazing lifestory

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very Interesting.
Amazing story of Chuck Fenney. The book should be a must read to all Billionaires!!! Interesting for the personal side of the story but also for the account of how Dutty Free Shop become an amazing company

Horizons I never knew were there!

Well written and spoken. New dreams awoken in me. I found the story engaging. The insight into this man's mind was inspiring. His zeal for making money as the scorecard of his effort and genius, then giving it away for his gratification and a personal measure of his significance - that is wonderful!

Absolutely brilliant book!

What an inspiring story! The most generous, unpretentious and kindest man on the planet. He altered the direction of Ireland through enormous third level education funding and helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. Funded hospitals in Vietnam and Australia, South African Universities and medical research centers in America and throughout the world. All given anonymously in the spirit of helping people, selflessly. Anyone who reads the Chuck Feeney story will be inspired to do more good in the world.

Inspiring story, beautifully told.

I had no idea about this man and his generosity, but that's exactly how he wanted it to be.

Recommended

Great story about a man who understood what was important in his life. Good read!

Quirky and Generous

So glad to know this story. Like most billionaires, there’s some elements of the genius that drives the success to have its drawbacks. In Feeney’s case, while eschewing the trappings of wealth he seemed to need to succeed in anything and everything he did, and the world benefitted through charitable gifts from him and Atlantic Philanthropies. Bravo sir. Bravo.

Amazing tale of philanthropic & business passion

Chuck Feeney’s life & values presents a compelling role model that one individual can make the world a better place

Was so sad when the book ended.

It was like I went on this whole life journey with this amazing person and then....it was over too quickly.