Lloyd Blankfein’s journey from a Brooklyn housing project to Harvard and eventually CEO of Goldman Sachs is detailed in his memoir Streetwise. He recalls the challenges of adjusting to wealth, from awkward dinners to learning philanthropy after growing up poor.
Philanthropy Lessons Learned After Growing Up Counting Dollars
Blankfein reflects on the cultural gap between his hardscrabble upbringing and the affluence he encountered, noting mixed feelings about raising affluent children.
Retiring in 2018, he now spends his time trading, studying physics and linguistics, reading biographies, and supporting nonprofits. He embraces life beyond Goldman, living by advice that his obituary should highlight contributions outside the firm.
