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The Billionaire Who Wasn't

How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune
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( 1,216 ratings, 140 reviews)
Brief Description
"Chuck Feeney is a remarkable role model, and the ultimate example of giving while living." (Bill Gates) This bestselling book tells the inspiring life story of Chuck Feeney, known as the "James Bond of philanthropy." Feeney made a fortune as founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5800

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"Chuck Feeney is a remarkable role model, and the ultimate example of giving while living." (Bill Gates)

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"Chuck Feeney is a remarkable role model, and the ultimate example of giving while living." (Bill Gates)

This bestselling book tells the inspiring life story of Chuck Feeney, known as the "James Bond of philanthropy." Feeney made a fortune as founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain. By 1988, he was hailed by Forbes magazine as the twenty-third richest American alive. But secretly, Feeney had already transferred all his wealth to his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies, and anonymously funded hospitals and universities from San Francisco to Limerick, New York to Brisbane, becoming one of the greatest and most mysterious American philanthropists of modern times. His example convinced Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to pledge to give away their fortunes during their lifetimes.

This authorised biography by Conor O'Clery is now updated to include the final chapter of Feeney's life, addressing the challenges associated with giving away his last billion. It also takes stock of the Giving Pledge and how other billionaires haveβ€”and have notβ€”lived up to its lofty promise.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781541706231

Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 February 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: PublicAffairs,U.S.

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 136.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 398g

Pages: 448

About the Author

Conor O'Clery is an award-winning journalist and author who served as foreign correspondent for The Irish Times in London, Moscow, Beijing, Washington, and New York. He has written books on Russian, Irish, and American politics, including Moscow, December 25, 1991. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.

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