Yes I Am - The Ric Weiland Story

The story of Ric Weiland’s life and legacy can be measured in incredible milestones. He was one of the first employees at Microsoft and helped focus and organize their early successes. It made him wealthy and influential at an early age but he never felt overly comfortable with his wealth. So to quiet the nagging doubt, he turned to philanthropy. Out and proud since the 70’s, Ric was a champion of gay rights. His efforts to establish representation and resources for the LGBT community still have a profound impact today. He also lived through the AIDS epidemic where painful losses tempered his social life and focused his resolve to give back to his community. Like so many of his friends, he was diagnosed with HIV and it seemed he wouldn’t emerge from the crisis unscathed, emotionally or physically. As his wealth and influence grew, Ric seemed to slip further into self-doubt, depression, and a kind of impostor-syndrome that seemingly no one could talk him out of.

It was clear from the outside looking in that he was a brilliant, impactful, and beloved person. Where was the disconnect in his own heart and mind? It’s difficult to overestimate the impact that Ric had on technology, gay rights, HIV/AIDS research funding… and the list goes on. He was one of the greatest philanthropists in American history. A founding member of one of the biggest companies on earth. But he couldn’t manage the pain and doubt within his soul. Near the end of his life, he wrote, “I’ve lost interest in fighting my depression and other emotions. I can’t see how it would end given my circumstances.” It’s a chilling reminder that no matter how much success one finds – everybody desperately needs help… geniuses included.

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