‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4B

Key Points:

• South Dakota banking magnate Denny Sanford, who died at age 90, donated over $4 billion during his lifetime, including $2 billion to the Sanford Health system, transforming it into one of the largest rural health-care networks in the U.S.
• Sanford's philanthropy extended statewide, funding projects such as the Sanford Underground Research Facility, scholarships for thousands of students, and various community organizations, earning him recognition as South Dakota's greatest philanthropist.
• He built his fortune through First Premier Bank and its credit card division, which issued high-interest cards to individuals with poor credit, leveraging South Dakota's lenient banking laws to become a billionaire.
• Despite his philanthropic achievements, Sanford faced a 2020 investigation related to child pornography allegations, which did not result in charges; this led to his removal from the Giving Pledge in 2023.
• Sanford's legacy is defined by his commitment to giving away his wealth during his lifetime rather than establishing a perpetuating foundation, significantly impacting health care, education, and philanthropy in South Dakota and beyond.