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Rockefeller was born into a family marked by contrast. His mother, Eliza, was a devout Baptist who instilled in her children lessons of thrift, discipline, and hard work. In stark contrast, his father, William Avery Rockefeller, known as "Big Bill," was a traveling salesman and con artist who taught his son the value of manipulation. From a young age, John learned that money was both an essential tool and a potential source of power.
His early entrepreneurial ventures showcased his unique understanding of money. By the age of 7, he was raising turkeys for sale and, by 10, he was lending money to neighbors—all before he reached adulthood. These formative experiences instilled a relentless pursuit of financial discipline and strategy, which would define his later career.