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Sanford Health announces T. Denny has died
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by: Eric Mayer, Perry Groten
Posted: Jul 18, 2026 / 11:21 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 18, 2026 / 12:56 PM CDT
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota’s most well-known billionaire has died.
On Saturday morning, Sanford Health CEO Bill Gassen announced in an email to Sanford employees Thomas Denny Sanford died. Sanford was 90 years old and died on Saturday, according to an obituary.
“Denny was a true friend, champion and believer in Sanford Health’s mission and people,” the email to staff said.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of T. Denny Sanford. He was 90 years old. Denny always said he wanted to live a life of significance and gave generously. His philanthropy impacted millions of lives and transformed the landscape of South Dakota and beyond,” a joint statement from First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard & Sanford Health said.
Known also as T. Denny, Sanford was a self-made billionaire who got rich in the banking and subprime credit card industry, with Sioux Falls based First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard.
He’s been South Dakota’s wealthiest person for years and also took the “Giving Pledge” with other famous billionaires, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, that he would “die broke.”
He gifted a Sioux Falls-based health system, which bears his name, nearly $1 billion. However, he also gave away millions to other organizations in South Dakota and throughout the country.
Denny Sanford came from humble beginnings in East St. Paul, Minnesota.
His father ran a garment wholesale business. William Sanford’s business partner, Thomas Denny, offered to put $50 in a savings account if Sanford named his son after him.
In August 2020, Sanford Health acknowledged that T. Denny Sanford was the subject of a child pornography investigation. All information on that investigation remains sealed and no charges were ever filed.
In 2014, former KELOLAND reporter Angela Kennecke traveled to San Diego, where Sanford had one of his homes, after he agreed to a rare interview about his life and what motivated him to philanthropy. You can watch that 2014 story in the player above.
T. Denny Sanford at Smithfield Foods announcement in Feb. 2026.
In 2026, Sanford announced he would donate $50 million to the Sioux Falls Development Foundation for the existing Smithfield site near Falls Park.
The area where the plant currently sits will be named the Sanford District.
You can read his full obituary posted below.
T. Denny Sanford obit Download
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