John D. Rockefeller’s Only Surviving Grandson, David Dies At 101

David Rockefeller, American billionaire, philanthropist and last surviving son of the legendary John D. Rockefeller, has died at the age of 101. According to his spokesman, Fraser P. Seitel, the centenarian died in his sleep on Monday on Pocantino Hills, the Rockefeller family home in New York.

Rockefeller was the youngest of six children born to John D. Rockefeller Jr., the grandson of Standard Oil co-founder, John D. Rockefeller. With the passing away of his elder siblings, he became the custodian and guardian of his family’s fortune and network of enterprises.

A 1936 graduate of Harvard University, Rockefeller received a doctorate degree in Economics in 1940, after which he served in the army during World War II. He was named Chase Manhattan’s President in 1961 and later become its Chief Executive Officer in 1969.

He retired in 1981 after 35 years of meritorious service. In 1998, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States of America due to his philanthropy and meritorious services. Left to mourn him are his six children –David Jr, Richard, Abby, Neva, Margaret and Eileen.