Most people wanted him to lose all his savings, cursed and hated him, but John Rockefeller only increased his capital every year. The most amazing thing is that Rockefeller was very proud of his moral principles: he strictly followed the rules all his life, raising his children in the same way as his parents once raised him.
Was the richest man in the world stingy?
Rockefeller was a great host. He generously paid his employees wages, always paid sick leave, his company had high pensions, but he did not spare quitters and troublemakers. Rockefeller was kind to his workers in his own way, but his quiet gait, seemingly lifeless smile, special appearance, cold eyes, monotonous and quiet voice caused real horror among the workers.
There were legends about this man. They said he could see and hear through walls. He made a deal with evil forces, uses black magic, and his family is also very afraid of him.
Important! The latter is not true.John Rockefeller never quarreled with his wife, played constantly with his children, and if they started to get sick, he sat next to them all night long. He took care of his mother until her death. But at the same time, the children of his brother, who went to fight, died of starvation, deprived of the attention of their uncle. When his brother returned, he called John a “heartless monster” and removed the bodies of the starved children from the family burial crypt.
Why did the Rockefeller children wear things one after another?
It’s hard to believe, but the Rockefeller family lived quite modestly, and the wife was practically equal to her husband in stinginess and saving. Five children, 4 of them girls (one died in infancy) and one son wore cast-offs, wearing clothes one after another. Even John Jr. wore his sisters' dresses until he was 7 years old.
The wife of one of the richest men on Earth carried her own patched clothes around the house, but she voluntarily made such a choice - John adored his wife and only did not limit her expenses. In addition, the wife herself suggested that her husband not buy bicycles for all the children: one would be enough for everyone - it would be cheaper and would allow the children to learn to share with each other.
The result of this upbringing was quite sad. Bessie Rockefeller had a mental breakdown. She thought that the family was ruined, and spent days patching dresses and tights. Edith, on the contrary, became famous as a legendary spender.
Reference! John grew up as a very sick boy with a lot of complexes. Only his marriage to the senator's daughter Abby brought back his vital energy. Condemning his father's upbringing, he nevertheless raised his children the same way: he paid 2 cents per killed fly and entrusted the accounting.
Did Rockefeller himself wear cast-offs?
Rockefeller was a billionaire. And at the same time a very unpretentious person.The most significant item of his expenses was charity: more than $2 million was spent annually on alms, scholarships and various grants. Rockefeller used his savings to build and launch the University of Chicago, providing the scientists there with starting capital of $500,000.
But John practically did not spend on himself: his sister once said that if free pearl barley fell from the sky, he would be the first to run with a spoon and plate. Rockefeller ate empty cereals and cheap vegetables, wore worn trousers and a constantly worn black jacket, equated painting with debauchery, did not accept theaters, did not like books, and considered love to be the fantasy of writers.
The Rockefeller family is still considered one of the richest on Earth; members of the family are still “traditionally” divided into three classes: outsiders, mentally unstable and spendthrifts. Not all of them have commercial acumen. However, this is not so important, since it is no secret that after a certain amount, money begins to make money - and Rockefeller provided his descendants with enough money.
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