J Paul Getty III Kidnapping: The Getty Family "Curse" & NON-Creep Estelle Getty
What a CreepSeason 22, Episode 10The Kidnapping of J. Paul Getty IIIIn 1973, at the age of 16, John Paul Getty III was kidnapped in Italy. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of $17 million, but J. Paul Getty, the boy's grandfather and one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time, initially refused to pay. The kidnappers then sent a lock of the young Getty's hair and his severed right ear to a newspaper to pressure the family.Eventually, J. Paul Getty agreed to pay a reduced ransom amount, and his grandson was released after being a captive for several months. This story inspired a feature film by Ridley Scott and a ten-part series featuring our favorite Hollywood comeback story--Brendan Fraser. This story has it all--miserable rich people, hippies, Italian mafiosos, and strained family relationships—trigger warning: addiction & kidnapping. Sources for this episode: All That’s InterestingThe Daily BeastTown & Country magazineNew York PostNew York TimesVanity FairPeople magazineAll the Money in the World, directed by Ridley ScottPainfully Rich by John PearsonPeople magazine 2J. Paul Getty WikipediaThe Gentleman’s JournalNPRTimeTrust on FXGrowing Up Getty: The Story of America’s Most Unconventional Dynasty by James ReginatoBe sure to follow us on social media. But don’t follow us too closely … don’t be a creep about it! Subscribe to us on