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What a Creep: J. Paul Getty III Kidnapping

by | Dec 4, 2023 | Podcast

What a Creep

Season 22, Episode 10

The Kidnapping of J. Paul Getty III

In 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. 

J Paul Getty III Kidnapping: The Getty Family “Curse” & NON-Creep Estelle Getty – What a Creep

What a Creep Season 22, Episode 10 The Kidnapping of J. Paul Getty III In 1973, at the age of 16, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Getty_IIIwas 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.

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