The son of billionaire investment guru Warren Buffett has purchased civil rights icon Rosa Parks‘ possessions. The belongings were stored in a New York warehouse, unseen for years.
Howard G. Buffett said that his foundation plans to give the items, which include Parks’ Presidential Medal of Freedom, to an institute or museum he hasn’t yet selected. Buffett said the items belong to the American people. The items, including lamps, letters, and articles of clothing, have been valued at $10 million. The collection contains over 1,000 items.
A years-long legal fight between Parks’ heirs and her friends led to the memorabilia being removed from Parks’ Detroit home and offered up to the highest bidder. The sale amount has not been revealed.
Buffett, a philanthropist who focuses much of his giving on helping fellow farmers in developing countries, admitted he probably was not the most likely candidate to buy Parks’ memorabilia.
“My wife said, ‘You don’t do that sort of stuff.’ I said, ‘I know, but it’s important,’” Buffett explained.
The civil rights activist died in 2005 at the age of 92.