In late 1996, the luxury group LVMH agreed to buy a majority of Duty Free Shoppers. Feeney's business partner, Robert Miller, objected and went to court to stop the deal.
Feeney knew a court case would expose the foundation. So he got there first.
In January 1997, he called reporters and told them everything himself. In the words of his foundation, he “decided to let the cat out of the bag himself.” The billionaire who lived like an ordinary man had, years before, given his fortune away.