The Simpsons Creator Gives Away $100 Million Fortune

In 2012 Sam Simon, the creator of The Simpsons, was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.  Twice divorced with no children, he has decided to give away his life’s earnings to charities working with the homeless and promoting animal rights. 

“A lot of it is selfish.  I get to watch these animals that have been in concrete bunkers their whole lives take their first step on grass.  I fly my friends out to watch it.  There is no area of charity right now that you get fast results, and see changes, as with animal rights.  There are victories every day.”  Mr. Simon has been working with Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to devise a series of projects to improve the lives of animals.  Mr. Simon stated, “I feel it is my responsibility to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

Although Mr. Simon’s cancer is not curable, he is living out the rest of his life happily, surrounded by his ex-wives and friends. 

See Harriet Alexander, Dying Creator of The Simpsons Gives Away His $100m Fortune, The Telegraph, Nov. 11, 2014.