Sanford's Legacy: Wealth, Giving, Controversy | Duluth News

Duluth News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 18, 2026 · 1m

T. Denny Sanford, the billionaire South Dakota tycoon who built his fortune on credit cards for those with poor credit and then reshaped healthcare across the Midwest through Sanford Health, has died at 90. A titan of philanthropy, his name adorns hospitals, schools, and cultural landmarks statewide — but his legacy is also shadowed by controversy, including criticism of his lending practices and a child pornography probe that never resulted in charges. Despite legal and political hurdles — including failed attempts to merge with University of Minnesota hospitals — Sanford Health continues to…