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John D Rockefeller Sr.
8 July is the birth anniversary of
John D. Rockefeller Sr (1893-1937).
John Davison Rockefeller Sr was the wealthiest American of his time, and was once among the richest men in the world.
By age 25, he controlled Standard Oil Company, one of the largest oil refineries in the US. By age 31, he had become the world’s largest oil refiner. By age 38, he commanded 90% of the oil refined in the U.S.
By 50, he was the richest man in the country. As a young man, every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his personal power and wealth.
But at the age of 53, he became ill. His entire body became racked with pain and he lost all of his hair. In complete agony, the billionaire who could buy anything he wanted, could only digest soup and crackers. An associate wrote – “He could not sleep, would not smile and nothing in life meant anything to him”. His physicians predicted he would die within a year.
As he approached death, he awoke one morning with the vague realisation of not being able to take any of his wealth with him into the next world. The man who could control the business world suddenly realised he was not in control of even his own life.
He called his attorneys, accountants, and managers, and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to Hospitals, Research, and Charity work. John D. Rockefeller established the Rockefeller Foundation.
The financial assistance of the Foundation resulted in the discovery of Penicillin, cures for Malaria, Tuberculosis and Diphtheria.
Perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller’s story is that, the moment he began to give back a portion of all that he had earned, his body’s chemistry was altered so significantly that he got better. It looked as if he would die at 53 but he lived till the ripe old age of 98 years.
Rockefeller discovered the power of gratitude and philanthropy, giving away the majority of his wealth.
In his later years, he reflected in his diary:
“God taught me that everything belongs to Him, and I am merely a channel to fulfill His wishes. My life has been a long, happy journey, full of work and play. I let go of worry, and God was good to me every day.”
