Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Henry Ross Perot was born on June 27, 1930, in Texarkana, Texas, to a working-class family. His father, Gabriel Ross Perot, was a cotton broker, and his mother, Lula May Ray, instilled in him the values of hard work, faith, and perseverance. Growing up during the Great Depression, young Ross learned early on the value of thrift, determination, and self-reliance—principles that would guide him throughout his remarkable life.

As a child, Perot was ambitious and entrepreneurial. At the age of 8, he started breaking horses for extra money, and by his teenage years, he was delivering newspapers and demonstrating the kind of grit that would later make him a billionaire. His natural leadership and drive became evident during his time at Texarkana High School, where he excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities.

Education and Military Service

After high school, Perot enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1953. During his time at Annapolis, he displayed discipline, leadership, and patriotism. He served as class president and developed an admiration for military traditions that would later influence his approach to business and politics.

Following graduation, Perot served as a naval officer until 1957. His time in the Navy gave him firsthand experience in leadership, teamwork, and discipline—values that shaped his professional career.

Early Career at IBM

After leaving the Navy, Perot was hired by IBM as a salesman in 1957. Almost instantly, he stood out as a superstar performer. In fact, he fulfilled his annual sales quota in just two weeks and went on to exceed targets every year. Despite his success, Perot grew restless within the corporate structure. He wanted more independence, innovation, and control—something IBM could not give him.

Founding of Electronic Data Systems (EDS)

In 1962, with just $1,000 in savings and an unshakable belief in his vision, Ross Perot founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in Dallas, Texas. His idea was revolutionary: to manage data processing for companies that didn’t have the expertise or infrastructure to do it themselves.

Perot’s persistence in pitching his services became legendary. He famously knocked on the doors of hundreds of companies before Blue Cross Blue Shield finally agreed to try EDS’s services. The partnership paid off, and soon, EDS was managing data systems for hospitals, insurance companies, and large corporations.

By the late 1960s, EDS had grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. In 1968, the company went public, and shares skyrocketed from $16 to $160 within days. Perot became an instant billionaire, one of the wealthiest men in America, practically overnight.

Heroic Rescue Mission in Iran

One of the defining chapters of Perot’s career occurred in 1979, when two EDS employees were imprisoned in revolutionary Iran. Instead of leaving their fate to chance, Perot personally funded and organized a daring rescue mission. He sent a team led by retired U.S. Army Colonel Arthur “Bull” Simons, and with the help of Iranian revolutionaries, they successfully freed the hostages.

This act cemented Perot’s reputation not only as a brilliant businessman but also as a fearless leader willing to risk everything for his people.

Sale of EDS and Business Expansion

In 1984, Perot sold EDS to General Motors for $2.5 billion. The deal made him even wealthier, but his time on GM’s board was rocky. Perot frequently clashed with GM executives over inefficiency and bureaucracy, famously criticizing the company for its sluggishness. Eventually, GM bought out his shares for another $700 million.

Never one to retire quietly, Perot later founded Perot Systems in 1988, another technology services company that mirrored EDS’s success. It eventually grew into a billion-dollar enterprise and was acquired by Dell in 2009 for $3.9 billion.

Political Career: The Outsider Candidate

Perot’s business success and reputation as a straight-talking Texan made him a household name, but it was his leap into American politics that made him truly unforgettable.

In 1992, frustrated with both Democrats and Republicans, Perot ran as an independent candidate for President of the United States. His campaign was unlike any other: he bypassed traditional party machinery, financed his own campaign, and spoke directly to the American people through television infomercials.

Perot’s plainspoken style, focus on fiscal responsibility, and warnings about the national debt resonated with millions. His campaign slogan—’United We Stand, America’—captured the spirit of voters fed up with politics as usual. At one point, polls showed him leading both President George H. W. Bush and Governor Bill Clinton.

Though he ultimately finished third, winning 19% of the popular vote (the best result for a third-party candidate in modern history), Perot changed the landscape of U.S. politics. In 1996, he ran again under the Reform Party, which he founded, though his influence waned compared to 1992. Still, his impact on American politics was undeniable.

Philanthropy and Patriotism

Beyond business and politics, Perot was a dedicated philanthropist. He donated hundreds of millions of dollars to education, medical research, and veterans’ causes. He contributed to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, supported POW/MIA awareness, and consistently championed U.S. military veterans.

He was also known for his deep patriotism. Perot often spoke of America’s unique spirit of innovation and resilience, and he lived by those values until his final days.

Personal Life

Ross Perot married Margot Birmingham in 1956, and the couple had five children. Despite his immense wealth, he lived a relatively modest lifestyle, often described as frugal and down-to-earth. Friends and associates remembered him as witty, loyal, and fiercely dedicated to his family.

He passed away on July 9, 2019, at the age of 89, leaving behind not only a business empire but also a legacy as one of America’s most independent and unconventional public figures.

Legacy

Ross Perot’s life defies easy categorization. He was a self-made billionaire, a political maverick, a patriot, and a man who believed in putting people before profit. From creating thousands of jobs to shaking up the two-party system, Perot proved that one individual with vision and courage could change the course of history.

Whether remembered as a bold businessman or a fearless outsider in politics, Henry Ross Perot’s legacy endures as a testament to the American spirit of innovation, independence, and resilience.