Samuel Truett Cathy, better known as S. Truett Cathy, was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author who made his fortune as the founder of Chick-fil-A, one of the largest and most successful fast-food chains in the United States. At the time of his death in 2014, Samuel Truett Cathy’s net worth was estimated at $6.6 billion. His wealth was built not only through his innovative business model but also through his long-lasting influence on American dining culture.

Truett Cathy was born on March 14, 1921, in Eatonton, Georgia, to Joseph and Lilla Cathy. After the collapse of his father’s farming business due to boll weevils, the family relocated to Atlanta, where Joseph became an insurance salesman. Truett attended Boys High School in Atlanta before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. His early life was marked by resilience and hard work, qualities that shaped his later success as an entrepreneur.

In 1946, after returning from the war, Cathy and his brother Ben opened a small restaurant in Atlanta called the Dwarf Grill (now known as the Dwarf House). It was here that Cathy developed what would later become Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwich. The sandwich was so successful that it was licensed to more than 50 other restaurants across the U.S. before Cathy decided to launch his own dedicated fast-food chain.

In 1967, Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall. The concept was simple but unique: fast service with a focus on chicken rather than hamburgers. His decision to trademark and expand his “secret recipe” of pressure-cooked chicken proved to be a turning point in the fast-food industry.

Over the decades, Chick-fil-A grew from a single mall-based restaurant to a massive franchise empire. As of 2023, the chain operates over 3,100 locations across the United States and internationally, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The company reported revenues of about $21.6 billion in 2023, cementing its place among the top fast-food brands globally.

Cathy officially retired in 2013, handing leadership to his son, Dan Cathy, who continues to expand the business today.

At the time of his death in 2014, Samuel Truett Cathy had a net worth of $6.6 billion. His wealth was largely tied to Chick-fil-A, which remains privately held and family-owned. Unlike many other fast-food giants, Cathy never took the company public, preferring to keep it under close family control while maintaining its founding values.

A devout Christian, Cathy built his business around his religious convictions. Most notably, he required all Chick-fil-A restaurants to close on Sundays so employees could rest and attend church if they chose. This policy, unusual in the fast-food world, remains in place today.

Cathy also authored several books, including It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail (1989), Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People (2002), and Wealth, Is It Worth It? (2010), in which he shared his views on business, success, and faith.

Beyond business, Cathy was deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly in supporting children and education. In 1984, he founded the WinShape Foundation, which funds foster homes, summer camps, marriage counseling programs, and scholarship initiatives. The Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship program, launched in 1973, has awarded more than $190 million in scholarships to employees.

His philanthropic work earned him national recognition, including the President’s Call to Service Award in 2008 from President George W. Bush.

Cathy married Jeannette McNeil in 1948, and together they had three children: Don (“Bubba”), Trudy, and Dan. They also fostered children for more than 30 years, extending their commitment to family and community. Cathy was also a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia, for more than five decades.

Chick-fil-A has at times been embroiled in controversy due to the Cathy family’s outspoken religious views and donations to organizations that opposed same-sex marriage. These issues led to protests and boycotts in various cities, though the company’s popularity and revenues continued to grow.

Samuel Truett Cathy passed away on September 8, 2014, at the age of 93 from complications related to diabetes. His funeral was held at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia. Cathy left behind a vast fortune, but more importantly, a lasting business empire that remains family-run.