Sandy Weill, North Country seasonal, isolated

Sandy Weill and his wife Joan emerged over the last decade as perhaps the ultimate example of the wealthy seasonal Adirondacker.

Their North Country philanthropy extended to Paul Smiths College, North Country Public Radio, and beyond.

But as the chief architect of Citigroup, the Weills also find themselves living in the shadow of the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression.

(Weill was also largely responsible for repealing post-Depression regulations designed to avoid another implosion.)

In a lengthy profile on Sunday, the New York Times paints a portrait of the Weills as largely isolated from the world they once helped to define.

“The most important thing to my husband was his reputation, ” says Mrs. Weill, who still feels angry at the portrayal of him in the press. “There are a few people I want to kill, but I am not going to name names.”

According to the article, Weill made an effort to return to Citi in a leadership role after the crisis began, but was rebuffed.

“I had 50 years of experience,” he says. “I think I was a pretty good student of the markets, and the business. I had a good feel of things. I felt that just because I retired didn’t mean my brain went to mush. Maybe I could help.”

No one responded to his offers.

The rejection stung. Citigroup had for so long been central to his life. It was hard to accept that he had no control or influence over it anymore. “It’s very hurtful. Even though he says, ‘No, no, it’s fine,’ ”says Joan Weill, his wife of 54 years. “I know him. The company means so much to him. It was his baby.”

The article points out that the Weills have maintained their devotion to philanthropy, and many of the trappings of their lifestyle, including a home on Upper Saranac Lake.

Read the full treatment here.

Tags: adirondacks, economy