The Economic Times

In 1932, J. Paul Getty bought Tidewater oil shares for $2.50 each during the crash. 25 years later, Fortune named him the wealthiest American with a $700 million fortune

J. Paul Getty bought Tide Water oil shares for just $2.12 in 1932, as the stock market was still reeling from the Great Depression. The Dow had plunged about 90% from its 1929 peak. Gettys timing proved remarkable. Tide Water shares climbed above $20 by 1937, according to the supplied material. That was more than nine times his original purchase price.