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Getty Renounces US Citizenship
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At 11:41 PM 12/28/97 -0600, Jim Choate wrote:
> JOHN PAUL GETTY II NOW A BRITISH CITIZEN
>
> The London Sunday Telegraph says the philanthropist has become a
> British citizen and revoked his U.S. citizenship. Sources in the
> British government confirm the move.
That would be "renounced" his US citizenship.
Since he is a UK *resident* as well as a UK *citizen* his move won't save
much in the way of taxes unless the bulk of his assets are in offshore trusts
which have been treated more leniently in the UK than in the US.
UK News Electronic Telegraph Sunday 28 December 1997
Issue 947
Paul Getty realises his dream: a British passport
By James Hardy, Home Affairs Editor
J PAUL Getty II, the billionaire philanthropist, has sealed his love affair
with Britain by taking out UK citizenship after 25 years' residence in this
country.
The heir to what was once the world's largest private oil fortune received
his British passport in the week before Christmas and immediately revoked his
US nationality, The Telegraph has learned. Mr Getty, 65, who rarely gives
interviews, is understood to be delighted at the alacrity with which his
application was processed by the Home Office. The American Government is, by
contrast, thought to be very disappointed with the development. Typically, Mr
Getty has chosen not to publicise his change of status.
The adoption of British nationality will automatically attract the close
attention of the Inland Revenue but friends claimed last night the prospect
of a major increase in his tax bill did not deter him from seeking
citizenship. They said his well known affection for the British way of life
was the overriding factor in his decision. "Paul has given so much to this
country over the years. It is wonderful that the country has given something
back to him. I have no idea why he waited until now to apply," said one
friend.
The son of John Paul Getty , formerly the world's richest man, J Paul Getty
II has become one of the greatest benefactors the country has ever known. His
fortune has been estimated at more than �1 billion and he is believed to have
given away more than �120 million to deserving causes in Britain. He gave �50
million to the National Gallery, �20 million to the British Film Institute
and a substantial donation to the building of the Mound Stand at Lord's
cricket ground.
Thousands of smaller donations, often anonymous, have helped charity appeals
or raised money for causes ranging from the Special Air Service to religious
institutions. Friends say that Mr Getty has found a happiness in Britain that
eluded him for much of his early life. His generosity to British institutions
was recognised with the award of an honorary knighthood in 1986.
Mr Getty retains a flat adjoining the Ritz Hotel in London but spends most of
his time at his 2,500 acre country estate at Wormsley, Bucks. He moved to
Britain permanently the year after the death of his second wife, Tabitha Pol,
from an accidental drugs overdose in Rome in 1971. In 1994, he married
Victoria Holdsworth, a long-time British friend. She is widely credited with
his gradual re-emergence into public life after years when he was rarely
seen.
UK News Electronic Telegraph Monday 29 December 1997
Issue 948
Citizenship may give Getty his knight's title By Sandra Barwick
J PAUL Getty II, the American billionaire who has given millions to charities
in this country, is likely to be able to use the title "Sir" after being made
a British citizen.
Mr Getty's generosity to British charities was recognised in 1986 when he was
awarded a KBE, or honorary knighthood, a title he was unable to use because
he was not a British citizen.
But with the Christmas gift of citizenship, which Home Office sources
confirmed was granted a week before the holiday, Mr Getty may in future be
formally accepted as Sir Paul and his wife as Lady Getty.
A 10 Downing Street spokesman said she understood that a recommendation could
be made to the Queen that the title be formally granted and announced in such
cases. But Buckingham Palace was unable to comment yesterday.
Other non-British holders of the KBE include Bob Geldof, who is an Irish
citizen. Mr Getty's accession to citizenship since the honour was awarded is
unusual, but not unprecedented.
The present Lord Menuhin was made an honorary KBE in 1965 in the same way,
but became Sir Yehudi Menuhin after he took British nationality in 1985. He
was later made a life peer.
Heir to what was once the world's largest private oil fortune, Mr Getty, 65,
has a flat in central London and a 2,500-acre estate at Wormsley, Bucks. He
is reported to have revoked his US nationality. His affection for Britain is
well known and friends say he found a happiness here that eluded him for much
of his earlier life. Son of John Paul Getty, the richest man in the world in
his day, J Paul Getty II is one of Britain's greatest benefactors.
With an estimated fortune of �1 billion, he has given donations thought to
total more than �120 million to causes including the National Gallery (�50
million) and the British Film Institute (�20 million). Mr Getty, a cricket
enthusiast, also made a substantial donation towards the building of the
Mount Stand at Lord's, along with thousands of smaller gifts, often
anonymously, to causes ranging from the SAS to religious institutions.
Three years ago he married Victoria Holdsworth, a British friend widely
credited with his gradual re-emergence into public life after years when he
was rarely seen. He moved to Britain permanently in 1972, a year after the
death of Talitha Pol, his second wife, from an accidental drugs overdose in
Rome.
************
DCF
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