Eldon Foote is a renowned figure in Canada, best known for his massive philanthropic efforts and significant private donations. His wealth was channeled into developing conservation areas in Edmonton and throughout Alberta, as well as into social programs supporting children from underprivileged families. Additionally, his contributions helped create creative spaces, including recording studios and art workshops. Despite his impact, Foote’s biography remains relatively under-researched and continues to intrigue scholars. While he held a law degree and a strong entrepreneurial background, his career path took unconventional turns, notably transitioning from a traditional legal career to the world of multi-level marketing. We delve deeper into the life and success of Eldon Foote at edmontonski.com.
Early Life
Eldon was born in 1924 in Hanna, Alberta, to Alexander Foote, a grain buyer, and Marie Calder, a teacher. His childhood coincided with the height of the Great Depression, and he knew early on what it meant to live in poverty. These challenging times helped forge his character. Eldon was an inquisitive boy with a passion for sports. By the age of 14, he was awarded the Governor General’s Medal for academic excellence. After high school, Foote enrolled at the University of Alberta, where he studied geology. When World War II broke out, he joined the army, though Japan surrendered before he had to serve a single day.
In 1948, Foote returned to university to earn a law degree. Soon after, he became a senior partner at the firm Bryan, Foote, Andrekson & Wilson and started a family. After nearly two decades of a successful legal career, he felt he had reached his limit, and his marriage ended in divorce. In 1967, he began working with a young multi-level marketing company in Australia that sold a cleaning product called Swipe. This was around the time companies like Amway were gaining popularity through home-based marketing, and Foote proved to be an effective entrepreneur capable of scaling such ventures. He achieved great success in Hong Kong and Japan, and after divorcing his first wife, he married his business manager in Japan.
Business Career and International Success
Foote also took measures to avoid income taxes. He spent two years traveling across Australia, Europe, and Asia. But he needed a home, and eventually settled on Norfolk Island, a tiny Australian protectorate in the South Pacific with a population of fewer than 2,000 people. Norfolk Island offered a major advantage—residents and corporations paid very little in taxes. In the early 1970s, he purchased a large plot of land overlooking the ocean and built a luxury estate he named Foote-North, which in island dialect means “Why not?” This cliff-top mansion remained Foote’s home until his death in 2004.
After a difficult divorce from his second wife, Foote faced new challenges in Japan. Managing the company alone proved exhausting, and despite the high income, he decided to step away. In 1997, he found a buyer for his business—the Dutch conglomerate Sara Lee. This paved the way for his third career: philanthropy.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Foote donated money without seeking recognition. When Edmonton was preparing to host the 2001 World Championships in Athletics, the University of Alberta’s track needed repairs, but organizers were $2 million short. They reached out to Eldon, who didn’t hesitate to help; he simply called his accountant and instructed them to provide the full amount.
In the spring of 2004, Eldon Foote was diagnosed with cancer and returned to Edmonton for treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute. His health declined rapidly, and he passed away just one month after being admitted to the hospital, leaving behind a will. According to his wishes, his family received only a small portion of his $220 million estate. The bulk of his wealth was bequeathed to the Edmonton Community Foundation. His ex-wife and five children were outraged by Eldon’s decision and filed a lawsuit that turned into a long and bitter battle over the will, which they ultimately lost.
According to the Edmonton Community Foundation, Foote’s donation is the largest of its kind in Canadian history. Including investment income, the initial $164 million has grown to $206 million, even after $43 million had already been distributed.
When asked why the organization finally revealed Foote as the donor after so many years, CEO Martin Garber-Conrad noted that the time had simply come.
The story of Eldon Foote remains a complex and controversial life journey, weaving together entrepreneurial success, personal change, and large-scale philanthropy. Ultimately, his legacy is a mixture of significant social contributions and divisive personal choices, reflecting both the complexities of his era and his own independent spirit.