Date of Birth: November 22, 1916
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: November 10, 2001
Biography
Percy Ross was an American businessman and philanthropist best known for his charitable giving and unique approach to philanthropy. Born into a poor family, Ross worked his way up from humble beginnings to become a multimillionaire. He initially made his fortune in the plastic bag manufacturing industry, a venture that culminated in the sale of his company, Poly-Tech, which earned him substantial wealth. Ross is perhaps best remembered for his newspaper column “Thanks a Million,” where he responded to letters from people in need, offering them financial assistance. His generosity extended to a wide range of causes and individuals, from funding medical treatments to helping people achieve their educational goals. Ross’s philanthropic efforts were characterized by a deeply personal touch, as he often took the time to write back to those he helped, offering words of encouragement and advice.
5 Interesting Facts about Percy Ross
1. Percy Ross was born into a poor family of Russian Jewish immigrants in Laurium, Michigan.
2. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
3. Ross’s philanthropic newspaper column, “Thanks a Million,” ran for nearly two decades.
4. He gave away an estimated $30 million to strangers through his column and other charitable acts.
5. Ross once handed out $100,000 in $10 bills to passersby in New York City during the Christmas season.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Percy Ross
1. “You can’t take it with you, but you can sure have fun giving it away.”
2. “I firmly believe that true wealth is measured not by what you have, but by what you give.”
3. “Generosity is a way of life, not a method of giving.”
4. “The best investment I ever made was in people.”
5. “The greatest pleasure in life is to be able to help someone in need.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Percy Ross’s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million.
Children
Percy Ross had three children: a daughter named Barbara, and two sons, Jerry and Barry.
Relevant Links
1. [Percy Ross Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Ross