John du Pont

John du Pont, born on November 22, 1938, was an American multimillionaire philanthropist known for his diverse interests and tragic downfall. He was an heir to the du Pont family fortune and made significant contributions to various fields, including ornithology, philately, and conchology. His passion for nature led him to publish works on birds and establish the Delaware Museum of Natural History in 1972, where he served as founder and director.

In the 1980s, du Pont's fascination with sports, particularly amateur wrestling and pentathlon events, prompted him to create a state-of-the-art wrestling facility at his Foxcatcher Farm estate. His commitment to promoting amateur sports in the United States was evident through his sponsorship of USA Wrestling, making him a prominent figure in the athletic community.

However, by the 1990s, du Pont's behavior became increasingly erratic and paranoid, raising concerns among friends and acquaintances. Despite these troubling signs, his immense wealth provided a protective barrier. This troubling trajectory culminated in a tragic event on January 26, 1996, when he shot and killed Olympic champion wrestler Dave Schultz on his estate. On February 25, 1997, du Pont was convicted of third-degree murder, deemed mentally ill but not insane, and sentenced to thirteen to thirty years in prison.

John du Pont's life ended in prison on December 9, 2010, at the age of seventy-two. His legacy remains complex, as he is the only member of the Forbes 400 richest Americans to have been convicted of murder, a stark reminder of how wealth can sometimes obscure deeper issues.