Perot

Perot is a surname of French origin. It is associated with several individuals, most notably Henry Ross Perot (1930–2019), an American businessman and political figure, and his son Ross Perot Jr., a Texas-based businessman. The name is also linked to a family involved in philanthropy and real estate development.

Henry Ross Perot, commonly known as Ross Perot, was born in Texarkana, Texas. He studied at the United States Naval Academy and served as a naval officer before leaving the Navy in 1962. He founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 1962, building it into a major information-technology and data-processing services company. EDS grew with government and corporate contracts and was a principal asset of Perot’s fortune. In 1984, General Motors acquired EDS for about $2.5 billion, expanding Perot’s resources for philanthropic and political activities. He and his wife Margot were active in various charitable efforts through the Perot Foundation.

Perot's political profile rose in the early 1990s. In 1992 he ran for the U.S. presidency as an independent, promoting fiscal restraint, government reform, and a centrist, technocratic approach to policy. He did not win any electoral votes but attracted roughly 19% of the national popular vote, influencing the race between incumbent George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He launched the Reform Party and was its presidential candidate in 1996, though he won a smaller share of the vote and again received no electoral votes. His campaigns popularized broad-based use of televised appeals and a message focused on reducing the federal deficit and reforming government.

Ross Perot Jr., his son, continued the family's involvement in business and real estate in Texas. Ross Perot, the elder, died on July 9, 2019, in Dallas, Texas, leaving a legacy in American business and political discourse.