Richard Mellon Scaife, born on March 3, 1932, in Pennsylvania, was the heir to the Mellon family fortune. He grew up in Pittsburgh as the son of Sarah Mellon and Alan Scaife. Despite his privileged upbringing, Scaife faced challenges in his early years. After being expelled from Yale University for his involvement in a party where alcohol was consumed, he enrolled in the English Department at the University of Pittsburgh.
Scaife's career in media began with the founding of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a newspaper that would become one of his most enduring legacies. In addition to his work in media, Scaife also founded several non-profit, public policy organizations, including the Carthage and Sarah Scaife Foundations.
One of the most notable aspects of Scaife's philanthropy was his extreme dislike for Democratic President Bill Clinton. This led him to donate close to two million dollars to the Arkansas Project of The American Spectator, which aimed to substantiate claims of sexual harassment against Clinton.
Scaife was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Frances Gilmore, with whom he had a daughter and a son. The marriage ended in divorce, as did his second marriage to Margaret Battle.
Throughout his life, Scaife was known for his conservative political beliefs. He donated nearly a million dollars to the re-election campaign of President Richard Nixon. Additionally, he was a key figure in funding various conservative causes and organizations, making a significant impact on the political landscape.
Richard Mellon Scaife passed away on July 4, 2014, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent figure in media, philanthropy, and politics. His contributions to journalism and conservative causes continue to be felt to this day.
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