Overwhelmed with emotion, 88-year-old veteran Ed Bambas, whose heartrending story captured millions online, has been presented with a check for $1.7 million so he can finally retire.
That amount represents the generosity of countless internet users who saw the initial interview with Bambas several days ago.
As WorldNetDaily reported, Bambas, a U.S. Army veteran, first retired from his job with General Motors in 1999. Twelve years later “they took my pension away from me,” he explained in an earlier video.
After his wife got sick, Bambas had to sell his house to help pay the medical bills. She eventually died of her illness. Later, he took a job at Meijer supermarket in Brighton, Michigan, to make ends meet.
“The thing that hurts me the most is when my wife was sick and they took the pension, they also took the health care coverage and all but $10,000 of my life savings,” he said.
The large check was presented by an Australian TikTok and Instagram star named Samuel Weidenhofer, who had shot the first video and spearheaded the plan to crowdfund enough money to allow Ed to retire.
“Thank you,” said Bambas, wiping his tears. “I wish my wife were here.”
WATCH:
HEARTWARMING SURPRISE: Veteran Ed Bambas, 88, who went viral after sharing how he lost his pension and worked full-time, was brought to tears when influencer Samuel Weidenhofer handed him a $1.77 million check. pic.twitter.com/hsLMjqkojm
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 9, 2025
The initial video has been viewed more than 4 million times. Here it is:
HEARTWARMING SUPPORT: More than $1 million has been raised for 88-year-old veteran Ed Bambas, who goes viral after sharing that he is still working full-time at a Michigan supermarket following the loss of his pension.
Organizers say they are setting up a secure trust to ensure… pic.twitter.com/N6CN6IgdnI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 3, 2025
WATCH: 88-year-old veteran working full-time to get surprise of his life
