SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — T. Denny Sanford, the billionaire businessman whose philanthropy reshaped health care in South Dakota and beyond, died Saturday at the age of 90.
Sanford Health CEO Bill Gassen announced Sanford’s death in a message to employees, praising him as “a true friend, champion and believer” in the organization’s mission.
A joint statement from Sanford Health, First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard said Sanford’s generosity touched millions of lives and fulfilled his goal of living “a life of significance.”
Sanford amassed his fortune through Sioux Falls-based First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard before becoming one of the nation’s most prominent philanthropists.
His donations totaling nearly $2 billion to Sanford Health helped expand the system’s reach, funding projects including Sanford Children’s Hospital, the Edith Sanford Breast Center, Sanford Imagenetics and rural health initiatives.
He also gave hundreds of millions of dollars to universities, community organizations and charitable causes throughout South Dakota and across the country.
The East St. Paul, Minnesota, native joined fellow billionaires in signing the Giving Pledge, promising to donate most of his wealth during his lifetime.