Judy Garland (1922-1969) - Actor & SingerRenowned for her contralto voice, Garland attained international stardom through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage. Respected for her versatility, she received a Juvenile Academy Award and won a Golden Globe Award as well as Grammy Awards and a Special Tony Award. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the remake of A … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Charles S. Woolworth (1856-1947) - Co-Founder Five-and-Ten-Cent StoreCharles "Sum" Woolworth and his brother, Frank Woolworth, founded the F.W. Woolworth Co. Frank started the first store and then hired Sum to manage the second store as a partner. In 1888, Frank suggested Sum buy out his brothers’ share of the Scranton store, thus becoming the first franchisee of Woolworth’s. Sum developed the brothers’ "5¢ & 10¢" merchandising model. Woolworth’s concept was widely copied, and five-and-ten … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Milton S. Hershey (1857-1945) - American Confectioner & PhilanthropistMilton S. Hershey is the founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company and the "company town" of Hershey, Pennsylvania. In 1918, Hershey transferred the majority of his assets, including control of the company, to the Milton Hershey School Trust fund, to benefit the Industrial School. The trust fund has a majority of the voting shares in The Hershey Company, allowing it to keep control of the company. In 1951, the school was … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Rock Hudson (1925-1985) - ActorRock Hudson was an American film and television actor who is most recognized as a romantic leading man during the 1950s and 1960s. His most notable films were Magnificent Obsession, Giant and several popular comedies with Doris Day. Hudson also starred in the popular television series McMillan & Wife along with a role in the hugely successful series Dynasty. The 6 ft 5 in tall actor was one of the most popular and well-known movies stars of the time. He … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) - Essayist & PoetRalph Waldo Emerson gradually moved away from the religious and social beliefs of his contemporaries and began formulating and expressing the philosophy of Transcendentalism in his 1836 essay, Nature. Following this groundbreaking work, he gave a speech entitled The American Scholar in 1837, which Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. considered to be America’s "Intellectual Declaration of Independence." His works not only inspired his contemporaries … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Todd Beamer (1968-2001) - Hero/Passenger on United Flight 93 on 9/11Todd Beamer was part of the group of passengers on United Airlines flight 93 who took control of the plane from the 9/11 hijackers and prevented what would have become the fourth attack on September 11TH. The plane ultimately crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.We honor Mr. Beamer and his fellow passengers for their courage in the face of certain death. They are clearly Legacy Champs for the many lives they … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Jim Valvano (1946-1993) - Basketball CoachJim Valvano was an inspirational college basketball coach who showed the world that the little things in life are what matter. While the head basketball coach at North Carolina State University, he won the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament against all odds. Valvano is not only remembered for running up and down the court after winning that championship, seemingly in disbelief and looking for someone to hug, but also for his inspirational 1993 ESPY Awards … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Harold Whitworth Pierce (1885-1958) - Banker & PhilanthropistHarold Pierce lived in Milton, Massachusetts, and was a partner at Tucker, Anthony & R.L. Day, a Boston investment banking and brokerage firm. When he died in 1958, Pierce left his estate to endow The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust. The Trust offers grants primarily for projects that will produce long-range benefits through leverage of the Trust’s resources. Grants are made in the areas of education, green and … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Princess Diana (1961-1997) - Children’s ActivistDiana Frances Spencer is a wonderful example of someone utilizing their wealth to create a lasting legacy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Diana became known as the "Peoples Princess" due to her warmth and tireless work for a variety of charities. She represented the International Red Cross and has been praised for her support for battered women and the homeless. Among other causes, she was the voice for victims of AIDS and land mines. A prime … [Read more...]
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Karen Carpenter (1950-1983) - Singer & DrummerKaren and her brother, Richard, formed the 1970s duo known as "The Carpenters." She was a drummer whose skills earned her admiration from her peers, although she was better known for her vocal performances of idealistic romantic ballads. Karen suffered from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder of extreme weight loss dieting, which was a little-known illness at the time. She died at age 32 from heart failure, caused by complications related to … [Read more...]
