J. Paul Getty

Date of Birth: December 15, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: June 6, 1976

Biography

Jean Paul Getty, commonly known as J. Paul Getty, was an American industrialist and founder of the Getty Oil Company. Born into a wealthy family, Getty’s father, George Getty, was a lawyer who had invested in oil. Despite his affluent background, Getty demonstrated a remarkable business acumen and expanded his family’s oil business into one of the largest and most profitable enterprises in the world. He was known for his frugality despite his immense wealth and became a prominent art collector, establishing the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Getty’s life was marked by both professional triumphs and personal tragedies, including the infamous kidnapping of his grandson in 1973. His legacy continues through the Getty Trust, which supports art conservation and research.

5 Interesting Facts about J. Paul Getty

1. J. Paul Getty was once declared the richest living American by Fortune magazine in 1957.

2. He was known for his extreme frugality, famously installing a payphone in his mansion for guests to use.

3. Getty’s art collection forms the basis of the J. Paul Getty Museum, which is one of the wealthiest art institutions in the world.

4. Getty’s grandson, John Paul Getty III, was kidnapped in 1973; Getty initially refused to pay the ransom, leading to the boy’s ear being cut off by the kidnappers.

5. He authored several books, including his autobiography “As I See It” and a book on business principles titled “How to Be Rich.”