<P> Although originally conceived as a one - dimensional, recurring villain who might occasionally enter the Simpsons' lives and wreak some sort of havoc, Mr. Burns' popularity has led to his repeated inclusion in episodes . He is a stereotype of corporate America in his unquenchable desire to increase his own wealth and power, inability to remember his employees' names (including Homer's, despite frequent interactions--which has become a recurrent joke) and lack of concern for their safety and well - being . Reflecting his advanced age, Mr. Burns is given to expressing dated humor, making references to Jazz Age popular culture, and aspiring to apply obsolete technology to everyday life . Conan O'Brien has called Mr. Burns his favorite character to write for, due to his arbitrarily old age and extreme wealth . </P> <P> Mr. Burns' trademark expression is the word "Excellent", muttered slowly in a low, sinister voice while steepling his fingertips . He occasionally orders Smithers to "release the hounds", so as to let his vicious guard dogs attack any intruders, enemies or even invited guests . Mr. Burns is Springfield's richest and most powerful citizen (and also the richest person in Springfield's state; his current net worth has been given as $7.3 billion by Forbes, though it fluctuates wildly depending on the episode). He uses his power and wealth to do whatever he wants, usually without regard for consequences and without interference from the authorities . These qualities led Wizard Magazine to rate him the 45th greatest villain of all time . TV Guide named him #2 in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time . In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked him #8 of their "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time". </P> <P> As the primary antagonist, Mr. Burns spends his time in his office at the nuclear plant, monitoring his workers via closed - circuit cameras . At an early age, Mr. Burns left his family to live with a twisted and heartless billionaire who owned an "atom mill" in Shelbyville . He lived a life of privilege and would amuse himself by injuring immigrant laborers . Mr. Burns later attended Yale University, where he studied both science and business, joined Skull and Bones, and competed in the "etherweight" wrestling class, later graduating in the class of 1914 . At his 25 - year college reunion, he became romantically involved with the daughter of an old flame . She would later bear his child, Larry Burns, who was given up for adoption and would later enter Mr. Burns' life briefly . Mr. Burns has been engaged at least three times: to a woman named Gertrude who died of loneliness and rabies, to Marge Simpson's mother Jacqueline Bouvier, and to a meter maid named Gloria . </P> <P> Mr. Burns enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, and served as a member of Springfield's Flying Hellfish squad under Master Sergeant Abraham Simpson and saw action in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge . Later on he was shipped to the Pacific Theater and was a co-pilot along with Abe Simpson and his brother, Cyrus . Mr. Burns and Abe were shot down by a kamikaze and stuck on an island . At the end of World War II he was personally hired by President Harry S. Truman to transport a specially - printed trillion dollar bill to Europe as the United States' contribution to the reconstruction of Europe . As the United States' richest citizen, Mr. Burns was thought to be the most trustworthy . Mr. Burns absconded with the bill and kept it in his possession for many years until it was lost to Fidel Castro in "The Trouble with Trillions". In "Homer the Smithers", it is revealed that Mr. Burns' mother is still alive at the age of 122 years, although Mr. Burns dislikes speaking to her, because she had an affair with President William Howard Taft and she refers to him as an "improvident lackwit". Furthermore, because she is so old, the only things she can do (according to Smithers) are pick up the phone, dial and yell . </P>

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