Years ago, a meme – a parody image called “Success Kid” began to flood the internet; it features a chubby boy with a confident expression, eyes looking ahead, while his hand is tightly clutching sand as if determined to achieve success.
That image quickly became a massive sensation, with internet users eagerly employing it to signify something they had done that exceeded their expectations. As a result, the boy in the photo also gained fame in the process.
Where Did the ‘Success Kid’ Meme Come From?
In 2007, Sammy Griner, just 11 months old at the time, was enjoying a family trip with his parents, where the legendary photo “Success Kid” was born. Like any other child, Sammy was quite mischievous, and while he was playing with sand, his parents captured that moment. The photo was later uploaded to the internet but didn’t attract much attention until two years later, when the meme began its legendary journey.
Using Fame to Save His Dad
Thanks to the widespread sharing of the image online, Sammy’s mother, Laney, decided to sell the rights to use it to numerous advertising companies; the image of the boy even appeared on the Xbox gaming console. The pinnacle came in 2013 when the image was used by U.S. President Barack Obama in his immigration reform campaign. Thanks to these ventures, Sammy’s family earned a considerable sum of money.
Not stopping there, by the end of 2015, Sammy’s father needed a kidney transplant, and once again, the famous meme proved to be incredibly helpful. The family used the image to raise funds, and the amount collected exceeded $100,000 (over 2.3 billion VND), allowing for Sammy’s father’s surgery to take place.
What is ‘Success Kid’ Up to Now?
Currently, Sammy is 13 years old, having grown into a tall boy, quite different from the sandy-handed child he once was. In an interview with News Statesman in 2016, Sammy mentioned that he enjoys skateboarding and occasionally hangs out with friends on weekends.
Sammy does not attend school but is homeschooled by his mother due to some communication issues he faced earlier. Notably, he loves to draw and spends quite a bit of time on this hobby. Once a viral sensation online, “Success Kid” – Sammy Griner is now living a very ordinary and happy life with his family.
(Source: The Tab UK, Know Your Meme)