Thomas J. Stanley, Father and Mentor

Dear Readers,

Thomas J. Stanley, my father and mentor, passed away after a tragic car accident on February 28th, 2015. At the time of his death, we were working together on multiple projects, including two new books, Data Points, and a line of research examining life experiences and wealth accumulation.

Our family takes great comfort from the kind messages and comments that reveal the positive and lasting influence my father's work had on people's lives. In the wake of his passing, several journalists have provided unique and thoughtful commentary on how he redefined what it means to be wealthy.

Two things are clear from the coverage of his life and work: 1) many individuals have benefited from his research, and 2) some individuals continue to deny the inherent ability for individuals to build wealth on their own through hard work and diligence.

Therefore, his work must and will continue: providing real data versus conventional wisdom about the wealthy, demonstrating the power of behavior and life experiences in the creation and prediction of wealth, and illustrating how one can become financially independent without wealthy benefactors or a hefty monthly paycheck.

My father enjoyed sharing the stories, habits, and life experiences of American millionaires. We will continue to tell these stories, analyze empirical and archival data, and carry on the research my father conducted over his lifetime. Thank you for your continued interest...there is more to come.

Sincerely,

Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Ph.D.