When Henry Ford died in 1947, his grandson Henry Ford II uncovered a staggering secret deep within the Ford Motor Company vault ... a mountain of cash amounting to around $700 million.
This huge cash reserve reflected Henry Ford's deep mistrust of banks and his commitment to financial independence.
Ford had never borrowed money, refused to let investors take control, and kept his company private and self-funded throughout his life. In an era when most businesses relied on loans and outside investors, Ford’s approach was unusual but gave him total control over his empire. By avoiding banks, he shielded the company from financial market instability and maintained complete ownership.
Adjusted for inflation, that $700 million would be roughly $10 billion today, a figure that shows just how wealthy and cautious Ford was. His philosophy of keeping money close and controlling his own destiny contributed to the company's ability to survive depression-era challenges.
The man who transformed transportation kept one eye firmly on the road ahead—and another on safeguarding his company’s treasure in cold, hard cash.