Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Giustra is set to release a new memoir, The Money Dilemma: My Unlikely Path to Wealth, Philanthropy, and Peace, on November 3, 2026, through Page Two. The book offers a candid look at his evolution from a high-stakes financier to a global humanitarian, challenging the ultra-rich to reconsider the true value of wealth.
Giustra, who built some of the world’s largest gold companies and co-founded Lionsgate, the largest independent movie studio in Hollywood, achieved his lifelong dream of becoming rich by age 39. Yet, he found that financial success did not bring contentment. In the memoir, he explores the deeper meaning of wealth and how committing to helping others ultimately provided a sense of peace that money could not buy.
The book chronicles Giustra’s transformation from a Type-A Merrill Lynch broker and Yorkton Securities powerhouse to a philanthropic leader. It details his journey from getting to giving, consumption to compassion, and from fame and fortune to friends and family. Giustra has donated over $250 million to humanitarian initiatives, focusing on poverty alleviation through his social business builder, Acceso, and the Giustra Foundation.
Acceso, launched in 2007, combats global poverty through entrepreneurial solutions, particularly agribusiness ventures in Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, and Guatemala. Through these initiatives, Giustra has advanced sustainable solutions to food insecurity, youth education, support for children and families, community development, and refugee resettlement. The memoir implicitly challenges other wealthy individuals to rethink the meaning and potential of their wealth, urging them to use their resources for greater social impact.
Praise for the book comes from notable figures. Pierre Lassonde, O.C., G.O.Q., a mining entrepreneur and philanthropist, remarked, “Money in itself is worthless. It's what you do with it. From having none at all, to having it all, to sharing it all, Frank's life goes through all the human raw emotions before finding purpose and meaning.” Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, added, “The world needs more people like Frank Giustra. He knows that real change requires more than generosity alone; it requires listening, showing up, and standing beside communities in moments that matter most.”
Giustra, a Member of the Order of Canada and recipient of the inaugural Dalai Lama Humanitarian Award, continues to use his resources, expertise, and influence to create a more equitable world. His memoir serves as both a personal narrative and a call to action for the wealthy to find purpose beyond financial gain.
