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He Made $8 Billion Selling Booze & Then Gave It All Away

Originally posted on SURFER | By Chris Dodds | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 6:05 PM ET

Have you ever wondered why, upon cruising through a foreign airport for an international flight, you are bombarded with different Duty Free stores? On a recent trip to Brazil, I landed at the GIG airport in Rio de Janeiro and picked up my bags and, after clearing customs, I had to navigate a massive and winding Duty Free Shop–not so fun with a board bag. Years ago, when I had an insatiable thirst for alcohol and wild times, I would often pick up a bottle or two at these shops to fuel my nightly adventures. Whereas today, I ignore everything from the booze to cologne to chocolates and JBL speakers. No thank you.

Normally, I’m rather indifferent to this blatant attempt to force-feed consumerism down your throat with flashy adverts of beautiful people juxtaposed next to products in a way that’s meant to simultaneously invoke your insecurities (Do I smell funny? Do my sunglasses look cool?) and instantly settle them with the advertised product. Turns out the reason for the Duty Free monopoly in airports throughout the world are all due to one man, Chuck Feeney, who became a billionaire and then chose to give it all away.

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The story is impressive and worth sharing in more ways than one. First of all, Feeney became a billionaire in the 80s (you know, before it was cool) after only 20 years of hustling. He got his start in 1960 by selling duty free booze to sailors. Like, how G is that? Secondly, even though he amassed a personal fortune of $8 billion, he lived like a common man and chose to wear a simple Casio watch and fly economy when he traveled.

Thirdly, by 1982 he secretly transferred almost all of his wealth to the Atlantic Philanthropies Foundation, keeping only $5 million for himself and his family. Lastly, he did all of this anonymously. It wasn’t until years later when a journalist discovered his identity that the story went public and thus inspired the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates to donate the majority of their fortunes as well (if only Elon and Zuck would follow suit). Feeney lived in a small rent-controlled apartment in San Francisco and died with $2 million to his name. His fortune was successfully distributed and helped hospitals, universities, and even peace talks.

His ethos being twofold: the main one being, “you can’t take it with you”. The other being that once you remove ego and politics from philanthropy, the money gets used more effectively and has far more impact.

So, the next time you pick up a bottle at Duty Free, be sure to pour one out for Chuck Feeney.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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