Edward Crosby 'Ned' Johnson III (1930-2022) was an American billionaire businessman and key figure in the mutual fund industry. Born into a family legacy in finance, he was the son of Edward C. Johnson II, who founded Fidelity Investments in 1946. Johnson III joined the family business in 1957 after completing his education, rising through the ranks to become president in 1972, CEO in 1977, and chairman in 1990. Under his leadership, Fidelity Investments grew from a regional firm into a global powerhouse managing trillions in assets, pioneering innovations like no-load mutual funds and expanding into international markets. He served as CEO until 2014, when he transitioned leadership to his daughter Abigail Johnson, but remained chairman until his death. Johnson's influence extended beyond Fidelity through philanthropy and family enterprises. He founded the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund in 1991, one of the largest donor-advised funds in the U.S., facilitating billions in charitable giving. With his daughter Abigail, he co-owned Fidelity Investments and Fidelity International, maintaining significant control over the privately held company. His net worth was estimated at US$8.2 billion in April 2021, derived primarily from his stake in Fidelity. Known for his reclusive nature, Johnson avoided public spotlight, focusing on strategic growth and family succession. Johnson was married to Elizabeth Johnson, with whom he had three children: Abigail, Elizabeth, and Edward C. Johnson IV. He passed away on March 23, 2022, at age 91, leaving a legacy of transforming Fidelity into a dominant force in asset management and advancing donor-advised philanthropy.