Story From Multi- millionaire to Rags

(Impermanency in life)

Choni Tsultrim

6/19/2010



When Robbins was 21, he relinquished his right to become heir of the 31 Robbins Ice Cream empire. Later, he became a multi-millionaire from his best seller. Unfortunately, he lost his fortune during the Madoff scheme in 2008. But interestingly, all the ups and downs in life have made him a better person.

In his newly published book “The New Good Life”, Robbins pointed out that turning into a pauper overnight might be a good thing, and that it can teach people to re-set priorities in life. He said that once he learned how to face hardship he was healthier and happier than before. More interestingly, all the hard times have made him a better person.

In December 8, 2008, Robbins received a phone call and learned that his entire fortune disappeared in the Madoff scam. He added, “When my good friend told me that all our investment was gone forever, I suddenly lost 95% of my assets. I was so frightened and would never forget that moment.”

He was 60 years old at that time. On one hand he blamed himself and, on the other hand, he started to re-build his life. He and his wife sold the majority of their furniture in order to avoid bankruptcy and both of them slept on the cot in his office. He rented out their house in Santa Cruz, gave up their luxury cars and expensive goods, worked overtime, and grew vegetables for food. They are making ends meet at present. After his personal experiences from going from riches to rags more than once, Robins is now an expert in dealing with financial hardship.

Robbins ' uncle loved to eat ice cream and died young, and Robbins concluded that ice cream is not good for the body. As a result, he refused to continue his father's business when he was 21. At that time, 31 Robbins Ice Cream was worth 1 billion dollars. He and his wife moved to a remote island in Canada; they were trying to stay away from the secular world and he became a vegetarian; they built a small log cabin and lived a self sufficient life for 15 years.

In 1984, right after Robbins brought their 10-year-old son back to California, he decided to write about the lessons he learned in life under an isolated environment. He published Diet for a New America in 1987, examining our modern diseases through our present diet and opposed a dairy diet. His book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and became immensely popular. Robbins believes that material pleasures are detrimental for the soul and that people should focus on the quality of life instead of actively pursuing material enjoyment.