Key Takeaways
T. Denny Sanford, one of the most prolific philanthropists in US history, died at 90 after giving away more than $4 billion in his lifetime.
Sanford built his fortune through First Premier Bank and its credit card business, and roughly $2 billion of his giving went to the health system that took his name, Sanford Health.
His stated goal to die broke is a live contrast to the perpetual-endowment model, where foundations hold wealth for generations rather than spend it down.
T. Denny Sanford, who gave away more than $4 billion over his lifetime and often said he wanted to die broke, died on July 18 at 90. He was among the most prolific philanthropists in US history, and most of his giving stayed close to home in South Dakota.
Sanford built his wealth through First Premier Bank and its credit card business after buying a Sioux Falls bank in 1986. Roughly $2 billion went to the health system that adopted his name in 2007 after a $400 million gift, then the largest in US health care history. Sanford Health now serves more than 2 million patients.
His money also funded scientific research, scholarships, children's charities, and community projects, with more going to San Diego institutions including UC San Diego, the Sanford Consortium, and the San Diego Zoo. He told Forbes in 2007 that he wanted to "die broke," and he spent the next two decades trying to.
Sanford's approach is one answer to a question philanthropy keeps arguing over. Some of the biggest names give the money away fast and on purpose, spending down their fortunes within their lifetimes, while others build endowments that hold and grow wealth for generations.
That tension is playing out right now, from Warren Buffett steering nearly $6 billion to his children's foundations to the Lilly Endowment becoming the first US foundation to report a $100 billion endowment. Sanford picked a side, and by his own measure he nearly finished the job. What his named institutions do without him is the next chapter.
People Also Ask
Who was T. Denny Sanford?
T. Denny Sanford was a South Dakota billionaire who built his fortune through First Premier Bank and gave away more than $4 billion, one of the most prolific philanthropists in US history. He died July 18, 2026 at 90.
How much did Sanford give to Sanford Health?
Roughly $2 billion of his giving went to Sanford Health, which took his name in 2007 after a $400 million gift, then the largest in US health care history.
What did wanting to die broke mean for Sanford?
Sanford told Forbes in 2007 he wanted to die broke, meaning he aimed to give away nearly all of his wealth during his lifetime rather than leave a lasting fortune.
Where did Sanford's philanthropy focus?
Mostly on health care, children's causes, scientific research, and scholarships in South Dakota, with major gifts to San Diego institutions including UC San Diego and the San Diego Zoo.