Larry Stewart is the original Secret Santa, as he gave out hundred dollar bills randomly to strangers who looked like they could use it. In his lifetime, he gave over $1.3 Million dollars. He died in 2004 from cancer, and now others are keeping up the legacy he created.
Fast Facts:
- Before his death he "trained" 4 other secret santas, in hopes that many more would start
Larry Stewart News
- Wikipedia: Larry Stewart
- Secret Santa: Larry Stewart Reveals
- Google News: Larry Stewart
- The Associated Press: Secret Santa Rides Again in Kansas City (December 21, 2007)
- Statement by Larry's replacement Santa: "I didn't want to be a Secret Santa. I wanted to give Larry money. But last year, he said I had to hand it out myself. So I did, and I got hooked."
- FOXNews.com: Secret Santa Millionaire Philanthropist Larry Stewart Dead at 58 (January 13, 2007)
- Boston.com: Larry Stewart, at 58; dubbed Secret Santa for his generosity (January 14, 2007)
- FOXNews.com: Secret Santa Must Give Up Hobby of Giving Cash to Pay for His Chemotherapy (2006)
- USATODAY.com: Santa Shares His Secret (2006)
- MSNBC: Illness unmasks generous Secret Santa (2006)