Ross Perot, the tech billionaire who upended the 1992 presidential race with an unlikely and surprisingly popular independent bid, has died, PEOPLE confirms. He was 89.
Perot had been diagnosed with leukemia, according toNBC News.
“In business and in life, Ross was a man of integrity and action,” his family said in statement. “A true American patriot and a man of rare vision, principle and deep compassion, he touched the lives of countless people through his unwavering support of the military and veterans and through his charitable endeavors.”
The family will not be speaking further and “is seeking privacy,” a spokesman said. Details of a public memorial have not bee announced.
Though he made his fortune in computers, Perot earned his largest platform with a quixotic run for president in 1992, against incumbentGeorge H. W. BushandBill Clinton.
Bob Riha Jr/WireImage
Ross Perot.Richard Drew/AP/Shutterstock
From left: Margot and Ross Perot in 1987.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In the end, Perot earned nearly 20 percent of the popular vote, the largest total for a third-party candidate in more than 50 years.
He ran again as an independent, in 1996, earning about 8 percent of the popular vote.
source: people.com
