Ross Perot campaigns for president in July 1996. It was the second time he ran as a third-party candidate.
Ross Perot's life in pictures
Ross Perot campaigns for president in July 1996. It was the second time he ran as a third-party candidate.
Brooks Kraft/Sygma/Getty Images

Updated 1:30 PM EDT, Tue July 9, 2019

Ross Perot, the billionaire tycoon who ran for president twice as a third-party candidate, died Tuesday, July 9, a family spokesman confirmed to CNN. He was 89 years old.

In the 1992 election, Perot received nearly 19% of the vote and finished third behind winner Bill Clinton and incumbent President George H.W. Bush. He ran again in 1996 and got 8% of the vote.

Perot was a billionaire by his mid-50s after selling a controlling interest in the data processing business that he founded. In 1968, Fortune magazine called him the "fastest, richest Texan" and put him on the cover.

In 1969, his efforts to deliver goods to US prisoners of war in North Vietnam brought the treatment of POWs into the spotlight.

"In business and in life, Ross was a man of integrity and action," family spokesman James Fuller said in a statement Tuesday. "A true American patriot and a man of rare vision, principle and deep compassion, he touched the lives of countless people through his unwavering support of the military and veterans and through his charitable endeavors."

Perot grew up in Texarkana, Texas, a small town that straddles the Texas-Arkansas state line. This photo is from the 1949 Texarkana Junior College yearbook. Perot was class president.
Perot grew up in Texarkana, Texas, a small town that straddles the Texas-Arkansas state line. This photo is from the 1949 Texarkana Junior College yearbook. Perot was class president.
AP
After community college, Perot attended the US Naval Academy. He graduated in 1953 and served in the Navy until 1957, when he became a data processing salesman for IBM. In 1962, Perot founded his own data processing business. By 1968, it made him a billionaire.
After community college, Perot attended the US Naval Academy. He graduated in 1953 and served in the Navy until 1957, when he became a data processing salesman for IBM. In 1962, Perot founded his own data processing business. By 1968, it made him a billionaire.
Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma/Getty Images
Perot, right, listens to a North Vietnamese prisoner in April 1970. Perot received national attention for his efforts during the Vietnam War to create better conditions for US prisoners of war. He traveled to Laos, where he met with ambassadors from Russia and North Vietnam. POWs later claimed that the publicity ultimately resulted in better treatment by the North Vietnamese.
Perot, right, listens to a North Vietnamese prisoner in April 1970. Perot received national attention for his efforts during the Vietnam War to create better conditions for US prisoners of war. He traveled to Laos, where he met with ambassadors from Russia and North Vietnam. POWs later claimed that the publicity ultimately resulted in better treatment by the North Vietnamese.
AP
Britain's Prince Charles presents Perot with the Winston Churchill Award in February 1986. Perot was being honored for his work in Vietnam as well as his efforts to help rescue two of his employees from an Iranian prison in 1979.
Britain's Prince Charles presents Perot with the Winston Churchill Award in February 1986. Perot was being honored for his work in Vietnam as well as his efforts to help rescue two of his employees from an Iranian prison in 1979.
AP
Perot sits in his office at his company, Electronic Data Systems, in December 1986. He started the company in Dallas with a $1,000 loan from his wife.
Perot sits in his office at his company, Electronic Data Systems, in December 1986. He started the company in Dallas with a $1,000 loan from his wife.
Shelly Katz/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Perot, an Eagle Scout, gives the Boy Scout salute at a luncheon in New York in June 1990. He was receiving a Boy Scouts Award for Courage.
Perot, an Eagle Scout, gives the Boy Scout salute at a luncheon in New York in June 1990. He was receiving a Boy Scouts Award for Courage.
Marty Lederhandler/AP
Perot laughs while talking to reporters in New York in May 1992. Perot was asked when he formally planned to enter the presidential race. He said "watch my lips" — a jab at President George H.W. Bush.
Perot laughs while talking to reporters in New York in May 1992. Perot was asked when he formally planned to enter the presidential race. He said "watch my lips" — a jab at President George H.W. Bush.
Richard Drew/AP
Judy Woodruff questions Perot during "The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour" on September 18, 1992. That day, Perot qualified for the Arizona ballot, completing efforts to put his name on all 50 state ballots. He had said he would run only if he could get enough signatures to put him on the ballot on every state.
Judy Woodruff questions Perot during "The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour" on September 18, 1992. That day, Perot qualified for the Arizona ballot, completing efforts to put his name on all 50 state ballots. He had said he would run only if he could get enough signatures to put him on the ballot on every state.
Charles Tasnadi/AP
Perot walks toward his position on stage before debating Bill Clinton, left, and US President George H.W. Bush in October 1992. Perot was running as an independent.
Perot walks toward his position on stage before debating Bill Clinton, left, and US President George H.W. Bush in October 1992. Perot was running as an independent.
Amy Sancetta/AP
During the 1992 election cycle, Perot directly challenged Clinton and Bush's support of the North American Free Trade Agreement. He argued the treaty would cause the loss of American jobs.
During the 1992 election cycle, Perot directly challenged Clinton and Bush's support of the North American Free Trade Agreement. He argued the treaty would cause the loss of American jobs.
Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma/Getty Images
Perot uses visual aids during a 30-minute television commercial in October 1992.
Perot uses visual aids during a 30-minute television commercial in October 1992.
AP
Perot laughs with 12-year-old supporter Kevin Grace following a campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, in October 1992. Perot and his supporters embraced his large ears, and Perot even joked about them in a debate. When talking about the gas tax, Perot broke out the one-liner: "If there's a fairer way, I'm all ears!"
Perot laughs with 12-year-old supporter Kevin Grace following a campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, in October 1992. Perot and his supporters embraced his large ears, and Perot even joked about them in a debate. When talking about the gas tax, Perot broke out the one-liner: "If there's a fairer way, I'm all ears!"
Kathy Willens/AP
Perot attends a campaign rally in November 1992.
Perot attends a campaign rally in November 1992.
Shelly Katz/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Perot shakes hands with actor Richard Crenna after speaking at a rally in Long Beach, California, in November 1992.
Perot shakes hands with actor Richard Crenna after speaking at a rally in Long Beach, California, in November 1992.
Bob Galbraith/AP
Perot and his wife, Margot, wave to supporters in Dallas at the last campaign rally before the 1992 election. He finished third to winner Clinton and runner-up Bush, but he went on to receive one of the largest percentages ever for an independent presidential candidate (18.9%).
Perot and his wife, Margot, wave to supporters in Dallas at the last campaign rally before the 1992 election. He finished third to winner Clinton and runner-up Bush, but he went on to receive one of the largest percentages ever for an independent presidential candidate (18.9%).
Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
Perot rallies against the North American Free Trade Agreement in November 1993.
Perot rallies against the North American Free Trade Agreement in November 1993.
John Duricka/AP
Perot ran for president again in the 1996 election. Here, he addresses a gathering of the Christian Coalition.
Perot ran for president again in the 1996 election. Here, he addresses a gathering of the Christian Coalition.
Mark Peterson/Redux
Perot introduces running mate Pat Choate, right, to campaign volunteers in September 1996. James Stockdale was Perot's running mate in 1992.
Perot introduces running mate Pat Choate, right, to campaign volunteers in September 1996. James Stockdale was Perot's running mate in 1992.
Eric Gay/AP
Perot appears on CNN's "Larry King Live" following a presidential debate in October 1996. King was giving Perot a platform after Perot was refused entry into the official debates.
Perot appears on CNN's "Larry King Live" following a presidential debate in October 1996. King was giving Perot a platform after Perot was refused entry into the official debates.
Richard Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
Perot poses for a portrait inside his office in September 2008. He founded Perot Systems Corp., an information technology company, two decades earlier.
Perot poses for a portrait inside his office in September 2008. He founded Perot Systems Corp., an information technology company, two decades earlier.
Ed Lallo/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Perot accepts a Distinguished Leadership Award in Kansas City, Missouri, in April 2010.
Perot accepts a Distinguished Leadership Award in Kansas City, Missouri, in April 2010.
Ed Zurga/AP