The Notorious Kidnapping of John Paul Getty III

To understand the Paul Getty kidnapping, you need to know a little bit about Getty family history. Paul, also known as John Paul Getty III, was the grandson of J. Paul Getty, the man who began making money from oil leases in the 1910s and became extremely wealthy. Despite his vast wealth, however, he was a very frugal man. He had all the money in the world but was very particular about how it was distributed among his children and grandchildren.

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[alice]

Wow. Not paying the medical bills for his 12yo son who died with a brain tumour. Then missing the funeral? That’s the more disgusting story here. Looks like he was an asshole from day one

[MrPGC]

I remember when this happened. Even though I was only a kid at the time, I remember thinking: "Thank god we're not rich! I don't wanna be kidnapped!"

[toyamwarr]

It’s sad how many wealthy families care more about money than even their own family. While I understand that giving money to anyone that asks is one of the quickest ways to lose money, I can’t imagine losing an ear and my grandfather not caring. That’s one really cold heart.

[lilitharam]

The grandfather in the story reminds me of my in-laws. Cold, calculating, nothing comes before money and they will die before they share theirs.

[amyfisher]

I remember reading all about this when it was all happening, and my blood was boiling. My own family wouldn’t have the money to pay out if I was kidnapped, but they would do everything in their power to get me back unharmed.

[bubbadelacruz]

Real life Mr. Burns who the hell charges interest for a kidnapped grandchild 😳

[MelloMood]

Damn! the grandfather was heartless and cold how he treated folks that wasn't related to him.

[nsbdnow]

I remember that as a kid. After he was released there was some magazine article about his sunglasses without the ear. Seemed normal at the time. What an astoundingly sad story it ended up being.

[TheReaper]

Leaving his son only $500 in his will is pretty fucked, Getty must have really hated his family or just knew they would blow it all and didn't deserve it

[corkycobon]

This whole story is just bizarre on soooo many levels.

[RickClark]

I knew that this was a messed up family but I didn't know just how messed up they really were. Shows were you end up when you greed consumes you.

[ipissed]

It's hard to believe that the kidnappers wouldn't have given up Paul for a plea bargain if he was involved. It's easier to believe that an uncle wouldn't want to seem like a despicable criminal to his nephew.

[jlshel]

This is like a Greek tragedy, dang. RIP Paul Getty, hope he's at peace

[VerucaTheGreat]

Poor Paul. I don't believe it was set up by him, he would already have known how much of a horrible person his grandfather was. It's very heartbreaking to learn he had to live out his last years paralyzed. I think things would have gone differently if his grandfather paid right away.

[leapintothewild]

My aunt worked as a draftsman for Getty Oil and I remember her talking about this at the dinner table, but didn't pay much attention since I was in junior high. I do remember her being either the only or one of only a couple of women at her level, and that the company was extremely stingy with their workers as well -- and the women made less than the men doing the exact same job. My dad had four amazing sisters, so I grew up with a great education in the feminist movement back then!

[michaelhowell]

Donald Sutherland was actually working on the FX series when he was offered the same role in the Ridley Scott film. You can really tell. When watching the series and before watching the movie, I thought to myself he would be perfect for the role.

[Banankos]

John Paul Getty III's son is current actor and musician Balthazar Getty.

[professorsprout]

The wealthy in my family also loaned money to the working class people in the family. I had an aunt in British Columbia Canada and she and her British hubby ran a bed and breakfast their daughter worked for almost nothing. But good ol Bill the rich member called in the loan and they lost everything. Its grotesque.

[Drforrester]

It must be said that casting Donald Sutherland as Getty Sr. was an excellent choice

[R.E.Z.]

I really enjoy your videos. Fun, interesting, and I’m always happy to have learned something.