Merv’s Minute that Made Millions

Merv Griffin was profiled in last week’s NY Times. He provided a few nuggets about how he amassed his King Midas-sized fortune.

“In 1986, he sold Merv Griffin Enterprises, which included Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune to Coca-Cola for $250 million. He still recieves royalties from the Jeopardy! theme, which he wrote in less than a minute. “That little 30 seconds has made me a fortune, millions, he crowed. How much exactly? “You don’t wanna know.” Please Mr. Griffin, do share. “Probably close to $70-80 million.”

Ever the forward thinker, Griffin, 80, added that he knows what he’ll put on his tombstone: “I will not be right back after these messages.”