J. Paul Getty III

J. Paul Getty III dead at 54

By Alina Dain

The grandson of the billionaire businessman who founded the Getty Oil Company, J. Paul Getty III, has died in Britain at the age of 54, MSNBC reports. The death was announced by his son, Balthazar Getty.

J. Paul Getty III has been through plenty of trauma in his life. In 1973, when he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by gangsters in Rome, Italy, who demanded $17 million for his release. The family refused to pay the ransom, so the gangsters cut off Getty’s ear and mailed it to an Italian newspaper. The ear came with the following note:

“This is Paul’s ear. If we don’t get some money within 10 days, the other ear will arrive. In other words he will arrive in little pieces. ( Read J. Paul Getty III more... )

J. Paul Getty III Reflects Gettys’ Dark Side

J. Paul Getty III, the grandson of the famous oil tycoon, died today at the age of 54. The former drug addict had been paralyzed since having an overdose-induced stroke at the age of 24. Before that, he was kidnapped by gangsters and had his ear cut off. The New York Times has more about Getty’s tragedy-riddled life:

(After Getty was kidnapped, his kidnappers demanded) about $17 million, but the police were initially skeptical of the kidnapping claim, even after Ms. Harris received a plaintive letter from her son, and a phone call in which a man saying he was a kidnapper offered to send her a severed finger as proof he was still alive. Investigators suspected a possible hoax or an attempt by the young Mr. Getty to squeeze some money from his notoriously penurious relatives. ( Read J. Paul Getty III more... )

Jean Paul Getty III Dead: Five Facts On The Oil Heir And Father Of Balthazar Getty

John Paul Getty III, grandson of wealthy oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty, has passed away. He was 54.

Always in the public eye due to his family stature and rebellious nature, Getty became the direct focus of international attention when in 1973 a group of criminals abducted the then-16-year-old. Getty's grandfather eventually paid a ransom of $2.9 million, but only after the kidnappers severed one of the boy's ears. ( Read J. Paul Getty III more... )

'Golden Hippie': J. Paul Getty III dead at 54

LONDON — J. Paul Getty III, the grandson of the billionaire oil tycoon who shared his name, has died in Britain. He was 54.

His son, actor Balthazar Getty, confirmed Tuesday that his father died Saturday surrounded by his family at his English mansion in Buckinghamshire, northwest of London. The cause of death was not disclosed.

According to Britain's Telegraph newspaper, Getty was expelled from seven schools. He was branded "the Golden Hippie" by the press due to his bohemian lifestyle, left-wing friends and long red locks. ( Read J. Paul Getty III more... )

Balthazar Getty's Father, J. Paul Getty III, Dies at 54

J. Paul Getty III, troubled grandson of billionaire oil magnate, dies at 54

LONDON — J. Paul Getty III, the troubled grandson of a multibillionaire oil magnate who lost an ear in a grisly kidnapping, has died. He was 54.

His son, Balthazar, confirmed the death through a publicist. The statement says J. Paul Getty III died Saturday in England, surrounded by family.

Born into vast wealth, J. Paul Getty III gained notoriety when he was kidnapped in Rome in 1973. When the family reportedly stalled on paying a ransom, the kidnappers cut off part of his ear, sending the severed organ to a newspaper to prove they had taken him captive.

The oil heir, then 16, was freed after five months in captivity and a payment of $2.7 million. ( Read J. Paul Getty III more... )

Related Searches:
aileen getty, j. paul getty, balthazar getty, john paul getty iii, john paul getty

Courtesy : College News , Business Pundit , The Huffington Post , MSN , CBS News & Google