Dying Co-Creator of The Simpsons Is Giving Away His Fortune To Charity
As the co-creator of iconic animation series The Simpsons, Sam Simon has amassed a personal fortune of more than $100 million. But as he enters his final days, battling terminal colon cancer, he is giving it all away to charity.
Sam Simon (59) was given three months to live in 2012. Simon has no children and is not married so he wants to give his millions to causes he cares about. He decided to give his $100 million in wealth to charity. He’s passion lies in animal welfare but the majority of his money will go to the Sam Simon Foundation, which provides service dogs to veterans and food to families in need.
Terminally ill Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon. Photo: Getty
“I think that my passion for the animals and against animal abuse is based on the knowledge that these creatures who feel and think can’t speak for themselves and they’re dependent on us for that,” he said in an interview with NBC’s Maria Shriver.
“And so I feel it’s my responsibility to speak for those that can’t speak for themselves.”
A caricature of Simon from a Halloween episode of The Simpsons.
The multimillionaire said he initially struggled with his illness, but is now happier than he’s ever been.
“Cancer is a horrible disease. I am struggling with it,” Simon said.
“It’s everything that everybody always tells you. It’s a journey, it’s a fight. But, if you want publicity and you want to pick up girls, then cancer is the greatest thing in the world.”
“Somehow, I ended up surrounded by people that love me and take care of me and will do anything for me,” he said. “It’s a good feeling. That’s called happiness.”
Animal lover … Sam Simon, pictured with his two dogs, is battling terminal colon cancer. Picture: Twitter
Simon is spending his final months funding projects that feed homeless people and save animals from being killed in animal shelters.
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“I have used my money along with Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA,” said Simon to NBC.
“She came up with almost a therapy for me, where we planned and are still planning a series of animal liberations and actions that I get to participate in and enjoy.”
“It gives me something to look forward.”
“I get to watch these animals that have been in concrete bunkers their whole lives take their first step on grass.”
Creators of The Simpsons Matt Groening, James Brooks, and Sam Simon, right, are interviewed about the hit show in the early 1990s