This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Thirty years in the making, the autobiography of billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr. is being released, and on Friday he held a book signing at Deseret Book in downtown Salt Lake City.
The first two people in line epitomize Huntsman's life story as told in "Barefoot to Billionaire."
Penny Nichols, from Sandy, wanted to get the book signed for her boss, who just launched his own business. She hopes a little of the Huntsman magic rubs off on him.
Next was Joyce Forman, from Reno, Nev., who is a missionary at the LDS Church's Family History Library. She survived breast cancer and wanted to thank Huntsman for all of his contributions to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
That institute, which Huntsman launched in the early 1990s, will get all proceeds from the book, which retails at $35.
"It is my story, some of you may agree and may not agree with what I have said and how I said it, but I've tried to be as frank and honest as I can," Huntsman said.
The book is broken into two sections, the first covers how he came from near poverty to become one of America's richest men through his chemical conglomerate. The second focuses on how he has given much of that wealth away to universities, poverty programs, the YWCA and — mostly — to the cancer institute. He also includes details on some of the family's personal challenges, from his past cancer diagnosis, to the kidnapping and recovery of his son and the death of a daughter from drug addiction.
"It brought tears to my eyes. It took me months to write those chapters," said Huntsman.
Over the years, Huntsman has employed four authors to help him craft this memoir, and for the past 12 years, that job has been held by Jay Shelledy, the former editor of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Huntsman admits to a reluctance to finish the project, but said the time was right because major events in his life are culminating. While far from done, the cancer institute is well established. And his chemical business is now publicly traded.
Another driving factor is his health. At 77, Huntsman has struggled with a disease that has affected his mobility and caused serious pain. He recently underwent a back surgery and may need another soon.
"I've been a little concerned, to be frank with you, about my health," he said. "It has been a little bit ragged the last three or four years and one of my goals in life was to finish the book."
At his side, were his wife Karen and Mary Beckerle, executive director of the cancer institute, who showered Huntsman with praise. Karen Huntsman said she believes her husband is "most unusual" because he is imbued with a drive to make a fortune and with the desire to help better the world.
Huntsman, who in 2014 returned to billionaire status after falling off Forbes' list in 2011, says he plans to give all of his money to charity before he dies, much of which will stay in foundations that his family will manage.
Twitter: @mattcanham