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Billionaire philanthropist T. Denny Sanford died July 18, 2026, at age 90.
Photo courtesy of First Premier Bank, Premier Bankcard and Sanford Health.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden said this weekend that the state “will forever be impacted” by the legacy of businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford.
Rhoden issued his comments after First Premier Bank, Premier Bankcard and Sanford Health announced on Saturday that Sanford, age 90, had died. He owned the two companies and became the namesake of Sanford Health — formerly called Sioux Valley — in 2007 when he donated $400 million to the organization.
Sanford’s total philanthropic contributions to numerous organizations in South Dakota and elsewhere totaled more than $4 billion.
“It is with great sadness that Sandy and I mourn the loss of T. Denny – a man who has so generously and intentionally invested in the great state of South Dakota,” Rhoden said in a news release. “His contributions will not be forgotten, and South Dakota will forever be impacted by his legacy. Put simply, he was the greatest philanthropist in South Dakota history.”
Sanford’s major donations in South Dakota included support for the Sanford Underground Laboratory at the former Homestake Mine in Lead, the Build Dakota and Premier/Freedom scholarships, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s future redevelopment of the downtown Smithfield pork plant site, Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, and Crazy Horse Memorial, among others.
“Denny Sanford was a significant donor to practically every charitable campaign in Sioux Falls, and many others throughout the state,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “Beyond his high-profile gifts, Denny was a key reason that Sioux Falls has such a strong culture of philanthropy, and many important community improvements benefited from his support.”
Sanford was born Dec. 23, 1935, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He lost his mother to breast cancer when he was 4, and he began working at his father’s garment shop at the age of 8. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1958 with a degree in psychology, he began a career in sales, marketing and materials distribution. His experiences led him to establish Contech Inc., a Minneapolis-based company that manufactured sealants, coatings and adhesives.
After selling the company, he purchased a bank in Sioux Falls in 1986. He renamed it First Premier Bank and expanded into the credit card sector with Premier Bankcard. The success of those businesses made Sanford a billionaire and allowed him to focus on philanthropy.
First Premier Bank, Premier Bankcard and Sanford Health issued joint statements on Sanford’s death. Dana Dykhouse, CEO of First Premier Bank, said Sanford told him “many people live a life of success, but you should try to live a life of significance where you can make an impact on people.” Miles Beacom, CEO of Premier Bankcard, said Sanford “could have done many things with his money, yet he reinvested it in South Dakota.”
“Our universities are stronger today because of Denny,” Beacom said. “Our health care is stronger today because of Denny. He believed in working harder to help someone other than yourself.”
Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, described Sanford as a “driving force in modern medicine, empowering researchers and clinicians to think big and pursue bold, innovative endeavors at a pace not otherwise possible.”
“We are able to provide care for more patients in their time of need because of his generosity,” Gassen said.
Sanford, who was twice divorced, is survived by his sons Scott and Bill, their wives, three grandchildren, and a brother, Charles “Chuck” Sanford and his wife.
Arrangements for a family service followed by a community celebration are pending.
northdakotamonitor.com
