J. Paul Getty: The Real Story Behind The Man With All The Money In The World

Getty’s Incredible Wealth Garnered Unwanted Attention

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In 1957, Fortune published a ranking of the wealthiest living Americans and surprised everyone by naming J. Paul Getty in first place, estimating his net worth somewhere between $700 million and $1 billion. With Getty’s wealth now publicized, he became something of an instant celebrity but didn’t take it well. “I’ll have to change my name if I expect to get any peace,” Getty once said according to a 1986 Fortune article. Getty’s now-enormous wealth soon became the root of his problems, which were only heightened by the scandals that surrounded his name in later years.