Remebering Ross Perot

A year after being diagnosed with leukemia, billionaire Ross Perot has died at age 89. Perot is famous for being the most successful third-party Presidential candidate in recent memory. He ran twice, in 1992 and 1996. In 1992, he won 19 percent of the vote as an independent candidate, which led to the defeat of incumbent George H.W. Bush and handed victory to Bill Clinton.

Perot ran again in 1996 after organizing his own political party, the Reform Party.

“Ross Perot, the ground-breaking businessman and loving husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away early Tuesday at his home in Dallas, surrounded by his devoted family,” the Perot family said in a statement announcing his death.

Perot was a pioneer in the computer science industry and formed his own company in the early 1960s. The native Texan grew up poor during the Great Depression of the 1930s, but died a self-made billionaire. He was well-known for both his quirkiness and his brilliance as a businessman.

“Texas and America have lost a strong patriot. Ross Perot epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit and the American creed. He gave selflessly of his time and resources to help others in our community, across our country, and around the world. He loved the U.S. military and supported our service members and veterans. Most importantly, he loved his dear wife, children, and grandchildren,” former President George W. Bush said in a statement. “Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Perot family as they celebrate a full life.”