B Wayne Hughes

B. Wayne Hughes, who made his fortune founding pioneering companies in two separate corners of the real estate world, died at home on Wednesday August 18 2021 at his horse farm in Kentucky, according to a statement. He was 87. Former real estate executive made billions giving folks a place to stash their stuff. Started storage outfit in 1972 after coming across a full warehouse. Original name, "Private Storage", drove customers away; "Public Storage" brought them in droves. Publicly traded firm now largest self-storage company in world; 2,015 locations, 136 million square feet of rentable space in U.S. and Europe. Stock up 22% in past 12 months. Republican gave $1 million to Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2005. Owns Thoroughbred horses. Much richer this year; personal balance sheet credited with previously unaccounted dividends.