Granite State Times

A tech billionaire donated money to an 81-year-old New Hampshire man after his home burned down in a fire on Aug. 4. 

WGME13 reports that David Lidstone, also known as "River Dave," received a donation from a tech billionaire to rebuild his house. Alexander Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, donated $180,000 to Lidstone, a hermit who became famous after the cabin he lived in burned down. 

“Tech Billionaire Gifts New Hampshire Hermit 'River Dave' $180,000 to Rebuild Cabin in Secret Location," Capitalism Institute said in an Aug. 21 Tweet. 

Lidstone’s property burned down, in what is believed to be an accidental fire, while he was in jail serving time for allegedly squatting on private property, reported WGME13.  

“How can I express myself and my gratitude towards something like that? I start to tear up whenever I think about it,” Lidstone said, according to WGME13. “For an old logger who always had to work, for anyone to give you that type of money, it’s incredibly difficult for me to get my head around.”

The location of the property is being kept secret to protect Lidstone's privacy.  

CNBC reports that before receiving the donation, Lidstone was given a minimum of 20 relocation offers, some as far as California.

WGME13 said that after the fire, Lidstone doesn't see himself ever going back to living life as a hermit, saying, “Maybe the things I’ve been trying to avoid are the things that I really need in life."