Ross Perot

Henry Ross Perot (June 27, 1930 – July 9, 2019) was an American businessman, entrepreneur, and politician who became one of the most successful self-made billionaires in American history. He founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 1962, which revolutionized the data processing industry and made him extraordinarily wealthy. Perot's company provided computer services to major corporations and government agencies, establishing him as a pioneer in the information technology sector. Beyond business, he became famous for his 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns as an independent candidate, where his straight-talking style and use of data-driven presentations captured public imagination and significantly influenced American political discourse. He also gained prominence for his attempts to investigate the fate of American prisoners of war in Vietnam. Perot's business acumen, combined with his willingness to challenge political establishments, made him a distinctive figure in late 20th-century American culture. His legacy includes both his technological innovations and his impact on third-party politics.