Date of Birth: June 18, 1915
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: August 7, 2004
Biography
Paul Neal “Red” Adair was an American oil well firefighter, best known for his work in extinguishing and capping oil well blowouts, both land-based and offshore. Born in Houston, Texas, Adair gained international fame due to his expertise and bravery in dealing with dangerous oil well fires. He founded the Red Adair Company in 1959, which became renowned for tackling some of the most challenging and hazardous oil well fires in history. One of his most famous achievements was controlling the catastrophic oil well fires in Kuwait set by retreating Iraqi troops during the Gulf War in 1991. Adair’s life and career have been the subject of numerous documentaries and films, including the 1968 film “Hellfighters” starring John Wayne, which was inspired by his life and exploits.
5 Interesting Facts about Red Adair
1. Red Adair served in a bomb disposal unit during World War II, which contributed to his fearlessness and expertise in handling dangerous situations.
2. He successfully extinguished the “Devil’s Cigarette Lighter,” a natural gas well fire that burned in the Sahara Desert for six months in 1962.
3. Adair’s distinctive red overalls became his trademark and a symbol of his determination and courage.
4. He was honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including the prestigious “Golden Plate Award” from the American Academy of Achievement in 1980.
5. The Red Adair Company was involved in controlling over 2,000 oil well fires during its operational years.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Red Adair
1. “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
2. “I’ve done made a deal with the devil. He said he’s going to give me an air-conditioned place when I get down there.”
3. “Retire? Retire to what? I’d rather be out there doing what I can do better than anyone else.”
4. “You have to be on your toes, because no two fires are the same.”
5. “We take the impossible and make it possible.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Red Adair’s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million.
Children
Red Adair had three children: two sons, Paul Neal Adair and Richard Adair, and a daughter, Robyn Adair.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-Neal-Adair
4. [Red Adair’s Profile on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010802/
5. [Red Adair’s Find a Grave Memorial](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9271948/red-adair
