10 Historical Figures Who Prove Real Estate Investment Can Be Ethical and Successful

Real estate investment has been a popular way for individuals to increase their wealth over time. However, it is not often associated with morality. In this paper, we will explore 10 historical figures who were successful in their investments in real estate while also being known for their moral principles and ethical conduct.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Benjamin Franklin is well-known as a statesman, inventor, and author. However, he was also a successful real estate investor. In 1732, he bought a property in Philadelphia for £1,000 and built a three-story house on it. He rented the house and made a profit of £50 per year. Franklin believed in investing in property as a way to secure his financial future and provide a stable income for his family.

Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the steel industry but also invested heavily in real estate. In 1899, he purchased a large tract of land in New York City that was eventually developed into Carnegie Hall. Carnegie also owned numerous properties in Scotland and used his real estate investments to fund his philanthropic work.

Harriet Tubman (1820-1913)

Harriet Tubman is best known for her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to freedom. However, she was also a savvy real estate investor. In 1896, she purchased a property in Auburn, New York, for $1,200 and operated it as a boarding house. The income from the boarding house helped support Tubman in her later years and provided a home for elderly African Americans.

John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)

John D. Rockefeller was an American industrialist and philanthropist who made his fortune in the oil industry. He also invested heavily in real estate. In the early 1900s, he began buying up large tracts of land in Florida, eventually owning over 100,000 acres. He also invested in office buildings in New York City, including the Rockefeller Center.

Anne Frank (1929-1945)

Anne Frank is best known for her diary, which documented her life in hiding during the Holocaust. However, her family was also involved in real estate investments. Her father, Otto Frank, owned a company that manufactured and sold pectin, a substance used in making jams and jellies. The company's success allowed the family to purchase several properties in Amsterdam, including the building where they went into hiding.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian independence activist and leader who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern history. He also invested in real estate. In 1915, he purchased a farm in Johannesburg, South Africa, which he used to experiment with different agricultural practices. The farm became a model for sustainable farming practices in South Africa.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

Rosa Parks is best known for her role in the Montgomery bus boycott, which helped spark the civil rights movement in the United States. However, she was also a successful real estate investor. In the 1950s, she and her husband Raymond purchased a property in Detroit, which they rented out for income. The income from the property helped support their activism work.

Bob Marley (1945-1981)

Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and musician who is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time. He also invested in real estate. In the early 1970s, he purchased a property in Kingston, Jamaica, which he turned into a recording studio. The studio became a hub for reggae music and helped launch the careers of many other Jamaican musicians.

Mother Teresa (1910-1997)

Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun and missionary who devoted her life to serving the poor and sick in India. She also invested in real estate to support her charitable work. In 1979, she purchased a property in New York City, which she used as a convent for her Missionaries of Charity. The income from the property helped support her charitable work around the world.

Warren Buffett (1930-present)

Warren Buffett is an American business magnate and investor who is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time. He has made many successful investments in real estate, including the purchase of a large farm in Nebraska in the 1980s. He has also invested in various real estate-related businesses, such as HomeServices of America, a residential real estate brokerage firm.

These 10 historical figures demonstrate that it is possible to be successful in real estate investment while maintaining a strong moral compass and ethical conduct. They used their real estate investments as a means to support their other endeavors, such as philanthropy and activism, and to secure their financial futures. Their stories serve as inspiration for future generations of investors who wish to achieve financial success without compromising their values.