Story perspectives

T. Denny Sanford Dies, $4B Donor Amid Probe

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

T. Denny Sanford died on July 18, 2026, at age 90.
He gave away over $4 billion, including about $2 billion to Sanford Health.
His net worth was $2.4 billion in March 2026 after creating First Premier Bank.
He placed No. 14 on the 2025 Chronicle of Philanthropy with $321 million donated, after which he left the Giving Pledge in 2023.
A 2020 ProPublica probe alleged child-pornography images, leading South Dakota’s attorney general to decline charges in 2022.

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Story summary

T. Denny Sanford died on July 18, 2026, at age 90.
He gave away over $4 billion, including about $2 billion to Sanford Health.
His net worth was $2.4 billion in March 2026 after creating First Premier Bank.
He placed No. 14 on the 2025 Chronicle of Philanthropy with $321 million donated, after which he left the Giving Pledge in 2023.
A 2020 ProPublica probe alleged child-pornography images, leading South Dakota’s attorney general to decline charges in 2022.