Aaron Feuerstein, the onetime CEO of Malden Mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday of complications from a fall. He was 95.
When the textile plant burned down in 1995, Feuerstein made national headlines when he paid his 1,400 workers in full instead of laying them off. In a 2003 profile on 60 Minutes the late Morley Safer asked Feuerstein why he just didn't take the $300 million insurance settlement. To which Feuerstein replied, "And what would I do with it? Eat more? Buy another suit? Retire and die? No, that did not go into my mind."
In a country where Donald Trump is viewed as a successful businessman, Feuerstein died a richer man than Trump will ever be. And it's not just Trump. Very few in his position, even if they had the resources to do so, would do what Feuerstein did.
Safer asked Feuerstein what his tombstone would read. After thinking about it for a few moments, Feuerstein responded, "Hopefully it'll be, 'He done his damnedest,'" Aaron Feuerstein certainly lived up to those words and more. R.I.P.
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