Charles F. Feeney, a billionaire philanthropist who donated more than $8 billion during his lifetime, has died. He was 92.

Feeney died “peacefully” Monday in San Francisco, his foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, said in a news release.

Feeney’s first notable business success came when he co-founded Duty Free Shoppers, which became the world’s largest retailer of luxury goods for travelers, in 1960. He co-founded DFS with a former Cornell University classmate after the two graduated.

“Giving while living” was Feeney’s philanthropic motto, and he encouraged others with wealth to give back to charities and communities.

“I cannot think of a more personally rewarding and appropriate use of wealth than to give while one is living — to personally devote oneself to meaningful efforts to improve the human condition,” Feeney wrote, according to the release.

In 1982, Feeney established The Atlantic Philanthropies, which invested more than $8 billion in grants in its 38 years of operation before he dissolved the foundation in 2020. The grants were primarily awarded in the United States, The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain, Australia, South Africa, Vietnam, Bermuda and Cuba.

RELATED: Food Network celebrity chef dies at 61 from allergic reaction

Upon its dissolution in 2020, The Atlantic Philanthropies became the largest foundation ever to intentionally deploy its entire endowment, according to the release.

“Use your wealth to help people. Use your wealth to create institutions to help people,” Feeney often said, according to the release. “When it comes down to it, it’s always people.”

Feeney is survived by his wife, Helga; five children from his first marriage to Danielle Feeney: Juliette, Caroleen, Leslie, Diane and Patrick; 16 grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews.