Ross Perot, the billionaire who ran twice for the US presidency has died at the age of 89.

The Texan billionaire is a pioneer in the computer data industry and founded his company in 1962. He has always been feisty and unique.

Ross Perot ran in the 1992 campaign and was best known for advocating balanced budgets, and urged to end outsourcing jobs abroad.

In a three way race, Perot took fifth of the votes. He is considered one of the most successful and independent in US history. He helped Bill Clinton defeat incumbent George H. W. Bush.

After the Reform Party, Perot ran for presidency again. In 1996, his campaign was less successful as he didn’t participate in presidential debates leading to only 8% of the vote.

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Perot was diagnosed with leukemia early this year. His family stated on Tuesday, “Ross Perot, the ground-breaking businessman and loving husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away early Tuesday at his home in Dallas, surrounded by his devoted family.”

As of July, Forbes estimated Perot’s wealth at $4.1 billion, making him the 478th-richest person in the world.

Source: BBC