The Gettys: When Billions Can’t Save Your Family

In the history of "Old Money" families in America, sadly there is perhaps no word more closely tied to public “tragedy” - accompanied by world-changing wealth and political influence - than the name "Kennedy."

And yet, what if we were to tell you that there is one particular family—with more money than J.F.K. and his descendants could ever dream of—who seemingly courted tragedy and scandal at a breakneck speed that would make even a Kennedy shudder with pity?

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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
1:36 Chapter 1: “I’m An Oil Man”
6:19 Chapter 2: The Burdens and Benefits of Wealth
13:05 Chapter 3: Scandals and Shadows
15:57 Chapter 4: A Tragic Legacy Reimagined

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Our story begins in the year 1855 - under the shadowed skies of Allegany County, Maryland.

Here, one George Getty was born - a harbinger of a family destined to wield immense power and wealth - but not without a cost.

Young George’s childhood was stained with hardship.

After a move to Ohio, the child experienced the shattering loss of his father at just six years old.

Yet, financial aid from his Uncle Joseph lifted George from these early tribulations - steering him toward Ohio Northern University - and the industrious lad emerged in 1879 with a Bachelor of Science - and an unquenchable thirst for more.

Lured by the law, George further honed his intellect at the University of Michigan Law School - finally settling in Minneapolis to specialize in insurance and corporate law.

But the year 1882 whispered something darker in his ear—a call he couldn't resist.

Though George didn't formally enter the oil industry until 1904, this year marked a rebellious turn.

Driven by a fascination with natural resources, he made a choice that carried an undertone of menace - he abandoned a thriving law career - pulling his family into the unpredictable whirlpool of the oil trade in Oklahoma.

Over the next few years, J. Paul Getty would soon emerged as the undisputed captain steering the family's financial ship.

The decade of the nineteen thirties was a stormy period - not just for the Gettys but for the world at large.

The Great Depression raged - toppling empires of commerce and casting a pall of uncertainty across industries.

Amid this economic maelstrom, J. Paul Getty and his mother - Sarah - took a significant step in 1934 by creating a trust with both of them as trustors.

Ostensibly aimed at preserving the integrity of their underlying corporate assets, this trust set the stage for a protracted battle for control.

However, over the years, J. Paul would make incremental but impactful moves to consolidate his power.

And these financial gambits were anything but straightforward - they involved taking on substantial debt and complex negotiations that spanned years.

He then gradually acquired shares - thereby accumulating the voting power essential to influence the trajectory of the family business.

Indeed, it was a slow-burning coup - methodically executed.

His mother, Sarah Getty - who had been the initial custodian of the family's legacy - found her control progressively weakened.

In 1971, the unveiling of the now legendary Getty Museum punctuated the family's towering influence.

With its twin bastions in Los Angeles—the Getty Villa and Getty Center—the institution stands as a sanctuary of visual wonders, from ancient relics to modern snapshots.

Drawing nearly two million pilgrims yearly, its hallowed halls and tranquil landscapes elevate it beyond mere tourist attraction.

However, the museum's very existence casts a dual shadow—as a monument to amassed fortune and as a lighthouse for art appreciation.

In 1976, J. Paul Getty, took his final bow from the world stage - leaving a fortune that staggered the imagination—an estimated 4 billion - or twenty seven billion in 2023 dollars.

In 1960, the world welcomed Mark Getty - another luminary in the famed Getty lineage.

Born in Rome but raised in England, Mark's academic pursuits in Philosophy and Politics at St. Catherine's College, Oxford - set the stage for an illustrious career.

But he wasn’t just another businessman - Mark revolutionized the landscape of visual media.

Getty Images soon dominated the market - a colossus in the field of stock photography - commanding the visual narrative that shaped public perception.

Then, in 1992, Los Angeles welcomed Nats Getty into its complex fold.

A dazzling blend of model, designer, socialite, and advocate for LGBTQ rights, Nats burst onto the scene in a style far removed from the reserved legacy of “old money” families like The Gettys.

Nats’ marriage to Canadian socialite and YouTube sensation Gigi Gorgeous was a spectacle that seemed almost surreal.

[oldmoneyluxury]

COMMENT: Which “old money” family would you like us to cover next?

[jiyushugi]

J.Paul Getty actually helped me quite a bit. I'd just started surfing at age 35 in the hopes that it would get me though a challenging period of my life. The local paper had an interview with him, and at its end the interviewer asked Mr. Getty if he were happy. "No, " he replied. "The only time I was ever happy was when I was a young man surfing at Malibu." Those words convinced me that I was on the right track, and I still am.

[derrick]

Thats the kind of money where the children are closer to the staff than the actual relatives. Ive actually seen it myself in a mansion i worked in for a few months in Newport RI. The maids were literally the parent's

[finurra]

Fascinating I never knew this about this family, grew up in LA and often visited the Getty Museum but honestly was stuck in a survival mode for so long, didn’t quite have the time to research these guys. Very interesting 🤔

[jecny]

Good summary of the Getty history. Suggested future topics... the Mellon family, the Du Ponts, and the Hearst family. Maybe the Ford family.

[scronx]

If facial appearance counts for anything, JPG was Satan incarnate :o
"Ineffable" -- great word. You're really good at this!

[stenbak]

I grew up with so many of this type of person, they don’t mind spending their parents money but then give their kids little

[ljohnson]

Allowing your grandchild’s ear to be severed and still negotiating is insane.

[ancesthntr]

Great video. I would like to see a 2nd chapter on the Gettys, with more emphasis on the business aspects of Getty Images and what it means for the family’s continuity as “old money” in the US.

As for other families: Walton, Mars, Ford, Lauder, Koch, Johnson (the drug company), S.C. Johnson, Bass, Hunt.

There are more, but that’ll keep you busy for quite a while.

[shadowfilm]

Nice well done video. I really liked the narrator. His voice was absolutely perfect for this type of video. Great narration! This shows how having much money and power can still bring on problems. Issues. Disasters too. Maybe even more so! No one is immune to problems. No one. No matter how much money you have. I met Ridley Scott in 2017 at a private screening of his movie, “All The Money In The World”. He was soft spoken. Nice. He is my fav film Director.

[cwavt]

What a cesspool of sickening worship of money, greed, hatred, debauchery sexual depravity. How much richer am I, a pair of devoted parents who would have given all of the next to nothing that they owned to spend time and expend love, wisdom and truth with us.
They had no mansions, no oilfields, no bodyguards. But their home is filled with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who love and honor them. Their wealth is shown in the glory of the love bestowed upon them. How truly wealthy they are

[matta.]

"The love of money is the root of all evil" 1 Timothy 6:10 KJV. In the end, money makes a great servant, but a heartless master.

[margyrowland]

I really enjoyed Trust but even now I feel revolted by JP Getty after watching it. Donald Sutherland did a great job portraying a very clever, complicated and self-centred man.

[std]

In the late 90s I learned about J Paul Getty. As I read more about him I became absolutely obsessed with the man and his story and also that of Aristotle Onassis. But the more I read and learned about the tragedies his family faced, it became a negative impact.
Today, after watching this video, I truly will not trade my life for any amount of money if it's going to end up in such mess.

[whomeverwherever]

Do one on the Reynolds family lines: drug dealing, banking, tobacco, aluminum, etc.

[chrystalfizer]

I'm surprised the actor Balthazar Getty wasn't mentioned. I loved him in Alias and I wanted to know what he's up to now.

[lisashapiro]

Learning right from wrong. It's important.

[miguelalvarado]

A followup video about the current Getty family would be very interesting. More about August & Ivy Love Getty. And how about how Getty Images came to be?
Thank you for the great video above this famous family. ❤

[seanreynolds]

Anyone interested to understand how John Paul Getty saw wealth, marriage and family please read his autobiography As I See It. Read it a few decades ago, enjoyed it.

[scottsandmeyer]

These stories are fantastic! I don't know if it's possible but a man named Stephen Girard was a magnate from France that settled in Philadelphia in the 1840s (I think). His story might be interesting, even without film footage.