The Bizarre Fortune of John Du Pont: Uncovering the Net Worth of the Eccentric Heir
John Eleuthère Du Pont, an American heir, was born into one of the wealthiest families in the world. He had inherited a vast fortune from his family which made him an extraordinarily financially successful man. Unfortunately, his riches did not provide him the luxury of living a stable and sane life. Instead, John Du Pont lived a life that would forever be remembered as one of the most bizarre.
The Du Pont family amassed their fortune in the chemical industry and had been listed on Forbes’ 400 richest Americans list since its inception in 1982. However, the notorious Du Pont heir had his peculiarities, including a history of severe mental disorders, which led to his downfall. This blog post uncovers the strange story of John Du Pont and his unpredictable path.
Early Years of John Du Pont
John Du Pont was born on the 22nd of November 1938 in Philadelphia. He was the youngest son of William Du Pont Jr. and was raised within the family estate, Liseter Hall, which is now a housing development in Newtown Square. John attended Philadelphia’s Haverford School before enrolling in the University of Miami, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in zoology.
John Du Pont’s Net Worth
The Du Pont heirs’ combined net worth has been listed at a staggering $14.2 billion today. This includes John Du Pont’s worth of $200 million at the time of his death. However, it’s difficult to estimate precisely how much of this fortune was John’s share as the family is well known for being private with their money.
John Du Pont’s Peculiarities
John Du Pont lived an unpredictable and strange life. He funded the Olympic wrestling team, constructed his wildlife sanctuary, and created his gun club. He often hallucinated and believed he was a protector of the world’s animals and that the CIA had sent killers to the family estate.
John Du Pont’s Involvement in Wrestling
John Du Pont was a major benefactor for the sport of wrestling and made a name for himself in that community by developing the Foxcatcher wrestling program. He convinced elite wrestlers to move to his estate and train under him, making it a one-of-a-kind wrestling training facility.
The Tragic End of John Du Pont
John Du Pont’s life was a troubled one, and it ended in tragedy. In 1996, he murdered one of the wrestlers he had brought to Foxcatcher, Dave Schultz, and this led to his arrest and trial. Du Pont died in prison on December 9, 2010, after spending nearly two decades serving his sentence.
The Impact of John Du Pont’s Death
John Du Pont’s estate was left to the Foxcatcher wrestling program, which was later sold with the money divided among his victims’ families. He also left a lasting impression on the wrestling community, which had benefited from his generous philanthropy.
John Du Pont’s Personal Life
John Du Pont never married and had no children. He shared his estate with his mother until her death in 1988. After she passed away, he lived alone and rarely ventured out of his estate.
John Du Pont’s Battle With Mental Illness
John Du Pont suffered from numerous mental disorders during his lifetime, including paranoid schizophrenia. He was admitted to several psychiatric hospitals, where he received treatment. Despite this, he refused to believe he had a mental disorder and stopped taking his medication.
Conclusion
John Du Pont’s net worth was a massive fortune that he used to pursue his eccentricities and eventually led to his downfall. He lived a life that will always be remembered as bizarre, and his tragic end highlights the danger that mental disorders pose to people and those around them.
FAQs
Q1. How did John Du Pont make his fortune?
A1. John Du Pont’s family made their fortune in the chemical industry and was one of the wealthiest families in the world.
Q2. How much was John Du Pont worth?
A2. John Du Pont was worth $200 million at the time of his death.
Q3. Why did John Du Pont murder Dave Schultz?
A3. John Du Pont was mentally unstable and believed Schultz and others were plotting against him.
Q4. What happened to John Du Pont’s estate?
A4. John Du Pont’s estate was left to the Foxcatcher wrestling program, which was later sold with the money divided among his victims’ families.
Q5. Did John Du Pont have children?
A5. No, John Du Pont never married and had no children.